Fraternising with the enemy : the British Commonwealth Occupation Force and its interactions with Japanese citizens, 1946 - 52

Abstract

This thesis examines the relationships between Australian troops of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) and Japanese citizens during the Allied Occupation of Japan following World War Two (1945 - 1952). Literature regarding the Allied Occupation of Japan largely focuses on the United States and its role in the development of post-war Japan's politics and foreign relations. This extends to social and cultural histories, which focus on the fraternisation involving American GIs. The BCOF was, in contrast 'the forgotten force'. In comparison to the United States, the BCOF established strict guidelines towards fraternisation. However, this thesis argues that these guidelines did nothing to stop fraternisation with the local Japanese population. Using archival evidence, memoirs, media and existing research, this thesis analyses and discuss Australian troops and their interactions with Japanese citizens.

Date of Award	2018
Original language	English