Editing Prince Naruhiko Higashikuni (section)

==Prime Minister==
[[Image:Prince Naruhiko Higashikuni Cabinet 19450817.jpg|right|[[Higashikuni Cabinet]] with [[Mamoru Shigemitsu]], [[Mitsumasa Yonai]] and [[Fumimaro Konoe]] in front row.|thumb]]
After the course of the war turned against Japan, and the decision was made to [[Surrender of Japan|accept]] the [[Potsdam Declaration]], the Emperor Shōwa appointed Prince Higashikuni to be prime minister on 17 August 1945, replacing navy Admiral [[Kantarō Suzuki]]. The mission of the [[Higashikuni Cabinet]] was twofold: first, to ensure the orderly cessation of hostilities and [[demobilization]] of the Japanese armed forces; and second, to reassure the Japanese people that the imperial institution remained secure. Prince Higashikuni resigned in October over a dispute with the [[Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers|Allied occupation forces]] over the repeal of the 1925 [[Peace Preservation Law]]. This law was largely intended to prevent the spread of [[Communism]] to Japan.