What did the 1947 reforms in Japan include regarding the emperor’s power?

The 1947 reforms in Japan marked a significant transformation in the political structure of the country, particularly concerning the emperor's power. These reforms were a part of the post-World War II changes implemented under the Allied occupation, led by the United States. One notable aspect of these reforms was the shift from a system where the emperor held considerable authority to a more democratic framework, whereby sovereignty was transferred from the emperor to the people.

This was formalized in the new constitution, which explicitly stated that the emperor was now a "symbol of the State and of the unity of the people," without governing power. These changes aimed to democratize Japan and prevent the re-emergence of militarism, by ensuring that political power was vested in the hands of elected representatives and the citizens, rather than being centered around the imperial institution. This fundamental shift laid the groundwork for Japan's modern democratic state.

In contrast, the other options do not reflect the essence of the 1947 reforms: there was a significant reduction in military authority rather than an increase, the hereditary monarchy status was maintained but under a different constitutional role, and women's rights were actually expanded during this period, not revoked.