On August 9, 1945, the United States made the difficult decision to drop an atomic bomb on Nagasaki. This was seen as their effort to shock Japan into surrendering in WWII. Japan previously refused to surrender, but the dropping of the atomic bombs finally convinced them to lay down their weapons with this somber letter.
Hirohito’s Letter of Surrender
After years of non-stop fighting the Japanese military and industry were on the verge of collapse and many of its earlier conquests were lost. Soon an invasion of the Japanese home islands seemed imminent, but Japa still insisted on carrying on fighting as they refused the Allies’ conditions of an ‘unconditional surrender’. Even after a years-long firebombing campaign that devastated the country, the Japanese were determined to fight to the last.
This led to the US finally using its newest weapon, the atomic bomb. The first of these bombs was dropped on Hiroshima, causing widespread destruction. Remarkably, the Japanese still refused to surrender despite the devastation, prompting the US to drop a second bomb on Nagasaki. Combined with the Soviet Union now declaring war, the Japanese government finally agreed to negotiate surrender.
During the peace process, Emperor Hirohito played a crucial role. As the leader of Japan, he was revered by the people who would follow his lead. One of the terms was that he would remain in power, albeit as a figurehead instead of an official leader. This meant he took part in the ceremony that ended the war. He also officially broadcasted Japan’s surrender in a letter he prepared, wording it so the Japanese people could save face in the wake of this defeat.
This can be seen in excerpts from this letter.
“TO OUR GOOD AND LOYAL SUBJECTS,
After pondering deeply the general trends of the world and the actual conditions obtaining in our empire today, we[a] have decided to effect a settlement of the present situation by resorting to an extraordinary measure.
We have ordered our government to communicate to the governments of the United States, Great Britain, China and the Soviet Union that our empire accepts the provisions of their joint declaration.
To strive for the common prosperity and happiness of all nations as well as the security and well-being of our subjects is the solemn obligation which has been handed down by our imperial ancestors and which lies close to our heart.
Indeed, we declared war on America and Britain out of our sincere desire to ensure Japan’s self-preservation and the stabilization of East Asia, it being far from our thought either to infringe upon the sovereignty of other nations or to embark upon territorial aggrandizement.
But now the war has lasted for nearly four years. Despite the best that has been done by everyone – the gallant fighting of the military and naval forces, the diligence and assiduity of our servants of the state, and the devoted service of our one hundred million people – the war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan’s advantage, while the general trends of the world have all turned against her interest.”
-Hirohito, Former Emperor of Japan.
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