Shipping Control Authority for the Japanese Merchant Marine

Shipping Control Authority for the Japanese Merchant Marine (SCAJAP) was an organization established by Allied occupation forces in Japan at the end of World War II.

Purpose

1. control over all ships greater than 100 gross tons operated by the Japanese.

2. to provide the Japanese with a repatriation fleet, consisting of the temporary loan of American ships operated by trained Japanese crews.

3. to provide the Japanese a means of repatriating war personnel.

Organization

SCAJAP was under the control of the Commander, Naval Forces, Far East (COMNAVFE).

The SCAJAP fleet held the designation of Task Group 96-3 in the organization of Naval Forces Japan.

Typical ship transfer

On 7 December 1945 a conference was held at Tokyo as a result of which it was recommended that 100 Liberties, 100 LST's and 7 hospital ships be made available to SCAP for repatriation. The ships were to be converted in Japan to carry repatriates and were to be crewed by the Japanese.

Of the shipping requested, 106 Liberties and 100 LST's were received, but only 85 of the LST's were retained for repatriation, the remaining 15 LST's being utilized to support the economy of Korea. Upon arrival in Japan, under direction of SCAJAP these ships were modified to carry passengers, provided with trained Japanese crews, and placed in service at a rate of 25 a week. Six of the Liberties were converted into hospital ships of about 1,200 beds each. Since total available passenger capacity of these SCAJAP vessels was approximately 400,000 by the end of March 1946, all U.S. Seventh Fleet shipping was released from repatriation. Over 50 percent of the total Japanese repatriation fleet, with a capacity of 100,000 spaces supplemented US shipping.

(Source: [http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/MacArthur%20Reports/MacArthur%20V1%20Sup/ch6_notes.htm Endnotes] )

Temporary service of an active U.S. ship

An example of the use of a commissioned U.S. ship, such as USS|Pembina|AK-200 being temporarily assigned to SCAJAP, can be found here.

ea also

* Occupation of Japan
* List of major U.S. Commands of World War II

References

* [http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/macarthur%20reports/macarthur%20v1%20sup/ch5.htm DEMOBILIZATION AND DISARMAMENT OF THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES]
* [http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/MacArthur%20Reports/MacArthur%20V1%20Sup/ch6_notes.htm Report on Mass Repatriation in the Western Pacific April 1947]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/books/field/ch4b.htm History of United States Naval Operations: Korea]