The appointment was based on the thought that HIGASHIKUNINOMIYA, an Imperial family member and Army General, was suitable candidate to disarm the Army, which had not agreed with the surrender of Japan, and to smoothly proceed with the formalities relating to the termination of the War under the Potsdam Declaration.
日本の降伏に納得しない陸軍の武装を解き、ポツダム宣言に基づく終戦にともなう手続を円滑に進めるためには、皇族であり陸軍大将でもある東久邇宮がふさわしいと考えられたためであり、昭和天皇もこれを了承した。