Emperor Hirohito (29 Apr. 1901 - 7 Jan. 1989)
Japan had invaded Manchuria and China in the 1930’s years before the commencement of World War II in Europe. In these invasions, the Emperor had authorised the use of chemical weapons on the Chinese and ignored international law with regards to treatment of Chinese prisoners. When the war began in Europe, Hirohito led Japan to form alliances with Germany and Italy to form the Axis Powers. Although sceptical about the initial agreement, he authorised it in 1940.
Through 1941 the Emperor urged for peaceful resolutions, and questioned whether a war with the western world was wise (asking his generals why Chiang Kai-shek, the Chinese leader, had not been defeated when they promised he would be). However, by November the Emperor was convinced, and Prime Minister Konoe had resigned for this. By December all was settled, and on the 8th of that month, Japanese forces simultaneously assaulted Pearl Harbour, the Philippines and Malaysia.
The Japanese people rallied behind the war and the Emperor set about boosting morale and keeping up with military operations. Whilst the war was going well for the Japanese, Hirohito was pleased. However, when the American counterattack began and they pushed their way through the Pacific, the Emperor reprimanded his generals.
When American forces defeated the Japanese, the Japanese would announce great victories to keep morale. By 1944, though, with American bombers attacking Japanese cities, this unwound the myth. Hirohito was afraid that Japanese civilians would defect to America, and so in June of that year he issued an order stating that Japanese civilians should commit suicide before they surrender. On Saipan, more than 10,000 civilians had killed themselves in the last days of battle (having been offered an equal status in the afterlife with Japanese soldiers).
Hirohito personally opposed the creation and research of an atomic weapon by Japanese scientists and would abolish the research. As the war became bleaker and bleaker for the Japanese, Hirohito met with senior figures to discuss the war. Konoe advised the war be ended, though no one else did. Later when Nazi Germany surrender in May 1945, the Japanese figures stated that they were firmer in their belief of fighting to the last man. Some even said they should die before surrendering, and supported a mass suicide.
The Soviet Union refused to make peace with Japan or to renew a neutrality agreement, and the Potsdam Declaration was refused by the Emperor, despite the fact that as early as June the Emperor had wanted peace. Following the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the Soviet declaration of war, Hirohito finally came to accept the Potsdam Declaration of an unconditional surrender.
For more information on Emperor Hirohito:
Bix, Herbert P. Hirohito and the Making of Modern Japan (New York: HarperCollins), 2000.
Hoyt, Edwin P. Hirohito: The Emperor and the Man (New York: Praeger Publishers), 1992.
Through 1941 the Emperor urged for peaceful resolutions, and questioned whether a war with the western world was wise (asking his generals why Chiang Kai-shek, the Chinese leader, had not been defeated when they promised he would be). However, by November the Emperor was convinced, and Prime Minister Konoe had resigned for this. By December all was settled, and on the 8th of that month, Japanese forces simultaneously assaulted Pearl Harbour, the Philippines and Malaysia.
The Japanese people rallied behind the war and the Emperor set about boosting morale and keeping up with military operations. Whilst the war was going well for the Japanese, Hirohito was pleased. However, when the American counterattack began and they pushed their way through the Pacific, the Emperor reprimanded his generals.
When American forces defeated the Japanese, the Japanese would announce great victories to keep morale. By 1944, though, with American bombers attacking Japanese cities, this unwound the myth. Hirohito was afraid that Japanese civilians would defect to America, and so in June of that year he issued an order stating that Japanese civilians should commit suicide before they surrender. On Saipan, more than 10,000 civilians had killed themselves in the last days of battle (having been offered an equal status in the afterlife with Japanese soldiers).
Hirohito personally opposed the creation and research of an atomic weapon by Japanese scientists and would abolish the research. As the war became bleaker and bleaker for the Japanese, Hirohito met with senior figures to discuss the war. Konoe advised the war be ended, though no one else did. Later when Nazi Germany surrender in May 1945, the Japanese figures stated that they were firmer in their belief of fighting to the last man. Some even said they should die before surrendering, and supported a mass suicide.
The Soviet Union refused to make peace with Japan or to renew a neutrality agreement, and the Potsdam Declaration was refused by the Emperor, despite the fact that as early as June the Emperor had wanted peace. Following the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the Soviet declaration of war, Hirohito finally came to accept the Potsdam Declaration of an unconditional surrender.
For more information on Emperor Hirohito:
Bix, Herbert P. Hirohito and the Making of Modern Japan (New York: HarperCollins), 2000.
Hoyt, Edwin P. Hirohito: The Emperor and the Man (New York: Praeger Publishers), 1992.