The Shinto Directive (in Japanese translation shinto shirei) was a short document produced, under the direction of the American William K.Bunce, by the Religions Division of the Civil Information and Education Section, Supreme Commander of Allied Powers (SCAP) on 15 December 1945. On behalf of the occupation forces it prohibited in any publicly-funded or government institution not only Shinto doctrines and practices but also the 'militaristic and ultranationalistic ideology' of any religion or creed which asserted the superiority of the Emperor or the people of Japan (see Kokka Shinto). As a result of the various provisions of the Directive Shrine Shinto was placed on the same footing as Sect Shinto or any other religion 'in so far as it may in fact be the philosophy or religion of Japanese individuals'. The Jinja Honcho was set up in response to this directive in order to reconstitute the national network of shrines on a voluntary basis.
See also Constitution of Japan, Shukyo Hojin Ho.
A Popular Dictionary of Shinto. Brian Bocking.