On May 2, 1947, General Douglas MacArthur lifted the restrictions on displaying the "Hinomaru" in the grounds of the National Diet Building, on the Imperial Palace, on the Prime Minister's residence and on the Supreme Court building with the ratification of the new Constitution of Japan. Those restrictions were further relaxed in 1948, when people were allowed to fly the flag on national holidays. In January 1949, the restrictions were abolished and anyone could fly the "Hinomaru" at any time without permission. As a result, schools and homes were encouraged to fly the "Hinomaru" until the early 1950s.