Published on October 18, 2019.
This is a republication of a chapter originally posted on July 16, 2018.
Based on an essay by Masayuki Takayama, it discusses MacArthur and GHQ’s attempt to Christianize Japan, the GHQ directive banning cannabis, America’s chosen-people mentality, and the ideology of the Prohibition era.
It criticizes newspapers that absolutize the constitution created by GHQ, while also referring to the place of cannabis in Japanese tradition and world history.

October 18, 2019
There is a newspaper that excessively venerates the constitution created by such foolish GHQ people, and says that even if the country perishes, we should protect this fine constitution.
It is truly troubling.
The following is from an essay by Masayuki Takayama, the one and only journalist in the postwar world.
Not only in Japan, but for example, in the sacred texts of Zoroastrianism from the seventh century B.C., cannabis was listed as one of the medicines, and Egyptian mummies were also wrapped in hemp.
I am republishing a chapter I published on July 16, 2018.
The following is the continuation of the previous chapter.
MacArthur also ordered the Japanese government to “renounce animistic Shinto” and “convert to Christianity,” called in 3,000 missionaries, and even had International Christian University built.
Nanbara Shigeru, who ingratiated himself with MacArthur, also urged students to convert to Christianity as president of the University of Tokyo.
The plan was to convert 70 percent of the Japanese people, but not a single believer increased.
Behind this Christianization movement lay the American sense of being a chosen people, the belief that they were a pure people chosen by God.
From the beginning of the twentieth century, they attacked alcohol and opium, which distance people from prayer, banned cannabis in 1911, outlawed opium in 1912, and outlawed alcohol and cocaine in 1920.
It was the age of “pure America,” collectively known as the Prohibition era.
They brought this mentality to Japan as well, and in January 1946 issued a GHQ directive banning all narcotics, including cannabis.
In advanced Japan, narcotics had long since been regulated, but people were surprised by the regulation of cannabis.
That is because its component, cannabis, was a proper medicine listed in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia, and in addition to its effect in treating cataracts, it was also recognized as having purifying effects.
In addition to sacred shimenawa ropes and sumo loincloths, the aratae worn by the Emperor at the Daijosai was also prescribed to be made of hemp.
Not only in Japan, but for example, in the sacred texts of Zoroastrianism from the seventh century B.C., cannabis was listed as one of the medicines, and Egyptian mummies were also wrapped in hemp.
This is thought to have been due to its preservative effect.
Also, in the New Testament there is a scene in which Mary Magdalene applies holy oil to Jesus, and that holy oil is also said to have been cannabis extract oil.
“To protect the constitution even if the country perishes”
Later, in the nineteenth century, Queen Victoria also used cannabis as a favorite medicine for menstrual pain.
GHQ did not know such history.
Then, half a century later, HIV spread in the United States, and cannabis suddenly emerged in terminal care.
When cannabis was administered to terminal HIV and cancer patients who had lost the will to live, their appetite returned, and a slight therapeutic effect was recognized.
Today, many states have officially approved its use for terminal medical care, and in Colorado and Washington State even sales and inhalation have been officially approved.
Uruguay went so far as to legalize it as a nation.
There is a newspaper that excessively venerates the constitution created by such foolish GHQ people, and says that even if the country perishes, we should protect this fine constitution.
It is truly troubling.
(August 2015 issue)