CIA papers reveal 1950s Japan coup plot

CIA papers reveal 1950s Japan coup plot

TOKYO - Declassified documents reveal that Japanese ultranationalists with ties to U.S. military intelligence plotted to overthrow the Japanese government and assassinate the prime minister in 1952.

The scheme — which was abandoned — was concocted by militarists and suspected war criminals who had worked for U.S. occupation authorities after World War II, according to
CIA records reviewed by The Associated Press. The plotters wanted a right-wing government that would rearm Japan.