Hirohito was Japan’s Emperor and head of state during World War 2, and was on the throne during the atomic bombing as well as the postwar period, his reign ending upon his death in 1989. Hirohito condemned the use of the atomic bomb, saying in his August 14th 1945 radio broadcast after accepting the Potsdam Declaration: “The enemy has begun to employ a new and most cruel bomb, the power of which to do damage is, indeed, incalculable, taking the toll of many innocent lives. Should we continue to fight, it would not only result in an ultimate collapse and obliteration of the Japanese nation, but also it would lead to the total extinction of human civilisation.” This displays Hirohito’s belief that the bomb’s power would not only bring about Japan’s destruction, but it’s continued use in war would affect the whole world.
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How much involvement in decision making the Emperor had during the war is debated, though it is generally believed that he was fully informed of military plans and never opposed the decisions of the supreme war council of Japan. Historian Richard B. Finn said of Hirohito’s involvement in the war: “The decisions that led to the war in 1941 were made unanimously by the cabinet, the emperor was fully informed about them, they were often made in his presence, he knew in advance of the plan to attack Hawaii, and he even made suggestions about how to carry it
How much involvement in decision making the Emperor had during the war is debated, though it is generally believed that he was fully informed of military plans and never opposed the decisions of the supreme war council of Japan. Historian Richard B. Finn said of Hirohito’s involvement in the war: “The decisions that led to the war in 1941 were made unanimously by the cabinet, the emperor was fully informed about them, they were often made in his presence, he knew in advance of the plan to attack Hawaii, and he even made suggestions about how to carry it