Matthew Ridgway
In 1950, individuals began to be released from the purge, including some from the Army and Navy. In May 1951, General Matthew Ridgway stated that the purge would be generally softened and authority would be transferred to the Japanese government. In 1951, more than 250,000 people were freed. At the end, Nobusuke Kishi and another 5,500 people remained purged.