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Emperor Hirohito, known posthumously as Emperor Showa, was the reigning monarch during the American occupation of Japan after World War II. His role shifted significantly due to the occupation. Prior to the war, the emperor was considered a divine figure with absolute power according to the state Shinto belief system. However, with Japan's defeat and the subsequent American occupation led by General Douglas MacArthur, Hirohito’s job, or role, underwent a dramatic transformation.
During the occupation, which lasted from 1945 to 1952, Hirohito’s job was to serve as a symbolic head of state under the new constitution, which was largely drafted by American officials and enacted in 1947. This constitution, commonly known as the "Postwar Constitution" or the "Constitution of Japan," redefined the Emperor's role as one of a constitutional monarch with no political power. He became a symbol of the state and of the unity of the people, with no governing authority or ability to influence government policy.
Hirohito’s job also involved public duties such as ceremonial functions and formal appearances designed to rally support for the new democratic government set up under the occupation. He was crucial in endorsing the changes in Japan’s political system and renounced his divine status, which helped the country transition from an imperial, militaristic nation to a democratic one. In effect, he provided a continuity of tradition amidst a sea of changes, which was crucial for maintaining stability in postwar Japan.