Treaty Ratified

After 17 days of debate and deliberation, Japan's House of Representatives last week ratified the peace treaty which Premier Yoshida signed at San Francisco in September. The vote was overwhelming: 307 to 47. The companion security treaty with the U.S. (permitting U.S. bases and garrisons in Japan) was less enthusiastically endorsed, 289 to 71. Yoshida made no attempt to steamroll the treaties through, and in fact had no need to. Among the opponents: all 22 Communists in the House.

Next, the treaties go to the upper House of Councilors, which is sure to ratify them. Then they will be "attested" by Emperor Hirohito. The peace treaty has also to be ratified by the U.S. Senate, and by at least seven of the principal nations which fought Japan.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.