Memory Hole: When MacArthur Refused to Shake Hands With a Surrendering Japanese Official

Gary North - September 02, 2015

Seventy years ago today, General MacArthur faced a problem: making up his mind. Twice. This was uncharacteristic of MacArthur.

When he was approached by a Japanese official to begin the surrender proceedings, the official stuck out his hand. MacArthur stuck out his hand, then pulled it back.

I have seen this film, but only once.

Here my memory may be wrong. The official kept his hand extended. MacArthur stuck out his hand again, and then withdrew it.

The handshake is believed to be a Western medieval symbol of chivalry. Two warriors signify that neither is carrying a weapon. The handshake was the appropriate offer by the Japanese official. Japan was surrendering. It had no weapons.

MacArthur instinctively recognized this, but then he pulled back. There were film crews. He would be seen shaking hands with the enemy.

At least once, and maybe twice, he responded positively, then pulled back. The newsreels recorded this, but the film has been suppressed for 70 years.

As I say, I saw it only once.

I could not find it on YouTube.

What we see is MacArthur sitting at the table, but only after the Japanese official is stationary. We never see his approach to the table.

Can you imagine MacArthur telling the film crews that he wanted no release of the initial confrontation? I cannot imagine anything else.