On August 6, 1945, the first atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, just three days later a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. While many historians argue about the morality of the bombs, and effect on the Japanese decision to surrender, this essay will discuss whether the Japanese had enough time to initiate a surrender in between the atomic bombings.
In Japan, there are six major leaders which are required to come to a unanimous decision to bring about surrender. At the time of the bombing of Hiroshima, the major leaders were split on deciding to surrendering, political leaders believing that Japan could not possibly continue to fight the war, military leaders were adamant that they push for a homeland battle, as the American forces would dread the casualties to arise from the battle. During a cabinet meeting on August 7th, 1945, military authorities denied that an atomic bomb had been used, believing the destruction to be caused by a routine air raid.
Japanese scientists had also been trying, and ultimately failed, to build an atomic bomb through the course of the war. “The Japanese military actually conducted three entirely separate atomic programs in the course of the Pacific …show more content…
No matter what happens to my safety, we should lose no time in ending the war so as not to have another tragedy like this” (Hirohito quoted in Asada 487). In a private meeting with Hirohito on August 8th, 1945, Foreign Minister Togo Shigenori articulated his concerns about continuing to fight. Togo found Hirohito to be in agreeance with his opinion and was urged to express the Emperor’s wish to Prime Minister Suzuki Kantaro. Togo and Suzuki decided to convene a meeting of the Supreme War Council. Some of the military leaders were unavailable, delaying the meeting until the next
In Japan, there are six major leaders which are required to come to a unanimous decision to bring about surrender. At the time of the bombing of Hiroshima, the major leaders were split on deciding to surrendering, political leaders believing that Japan could not possibly continue to fight the war, military leaders were adamant that they push for a homeland battle, as the American forces would dread the casualties to arise from the battle. During a cabinet meeting on August 7th, 1945, military authorities denied that an atomic bomb had been used, believing the destruction to be caused by a routine air raid.
Japanese scientists had also been trying, and ultimately failed, to build an atomic bomb through the course of the war. “The Japanese military actually conducted three entirely separate atomic programs in the course of the Pacific …show more content…
No matter what happens to my safety, we should lose no time in ending the war so as not to have another tragedy like this” (Hirohito quoted in Asada 487). In a private meeting with Hirohito on August 8th, 1945, Foreign Minister Togo Shigenori articulated his concerns about continuing to fight. Togo found Hirohito to be in agreeance with his opinion and was urged to express the Emperor’s wish to Prime Minister Suzuki Kantaro. Togo and Suzuki decided to convene a meeting of the Supreme War Council. Some of the military leaders were unavailable, delaying the meeting until the next