FAQs – Rise of Japan



FAQs – Rise of Japan

I. Japan’s political system

1. What was the political system in Japan in the 1920s and 1930s?

Japan’s political system was part democratic and part monarchy. Parliamentary elections took place and political parties were formed to see who would control parliament (the Diet). The period 1918 – 1932 is regarded as the period of parliamentary rule while the period from 1932 to about 1940 is regarded as the period of the militarists and ultra-ationalists

It is part monarchy because they have a constitutional monarch, the Emperor of Japan, who is the head of state. H is revered as the descendent of the Sun God and until 1945, his voice was never hard on the radio. He wields great political power but traditionally, he does not exercise or use it to assert his authority

2. Germany had Hitler as a great leader. Russia had Stalin. Did Japan have any important leader to turn Japan towards militarism?

The leader responsible for the Pacific War would have been Tojo. In 1933, he was a major general and head of the Kwantung Army until 1938. Those were the years when Japan was most active in expanding their territories in Manchuria and China.

Tojo held extreme right-wing views and was a supporter of Nazi Germany. He also feared the long-term plans of Joseph Stalin and in 1938 he advocated pre-emptive air strikes on both China and the Soviet Union.

In July 1941 Tojo was appointed as minister of war where he wanted an aggressive foreign policy. He also strongly opposed plans to remove Japanese troops from China and Korea.

Tojo became prime minister on 16th October 1941 and he initially backed the foreign office's efforts to reach agreement with the United States. However, when convinced that a negotiated deal was possible, ordered the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December, 1941.

Tojo, aware that Japan was unable to win the war, resigned from office after the loss of Saipan in July 1944. He shot himself in the chest just before he was arrested by the US Military in 1945. Tojo survived and after being nursed back to health was tried as a war criminal. Hideki Tojo was executed on 23rd December 1948

3. What form of government did Japan have when it went to war?

Before Japan went to war, it was still a democracy. However, women did not have the right to vote, and free elections among men were hindered by the militarism which led Japan to war. Democracy in Japan in the 1930s was characterized by intimidation and political assassinations carried out by ultra-nationalist and militaristic political groups

4. What made Japan so dominant in the 1930s?

Japan was dominant in the 1930s because it was able to come out of the Great Depression strong. After the rise of militarism in the 1930s, Japan expanded her territory in Manchuria and later North China. The expansion policies helped Japan pull through economic recession.

Japan was also dominant in the 1930s because its neighbours, notably China was very weak. China had just reunified itself and was busy trying to modernize itself. China was also busy trying to fight the communists led by Mao Tse Tung in the 1930s. Until 1937, China’s weakness led to China’s policy of appeasing Japan in Manchuria and North China.

Japan was also dominant in the 1930s because many of the European powers (also colonial powers) were weakened by the Great Depression and had internal problems of their own. France was preoccupied with extremist right wing and left wing groups trying to seize power. Britain had the problem of Ireland on their hands. Holland had the problem of Indonesian demands for independence. France and Britain were also preoccupied with Hitler’s expansionist policies in Europe. The problems in Europe worried the more than events in Asia.

5. Why did parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy not work in Japan and fail in the end? Why did militarism arise?

Parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy failed in Japan because there was growing dissatisfaction with parliamentary democracy. The political parties could not agree with each other and there were frequent changes in government. There were also corruption between political parties and the large Japanese corporations.

Parliamentary democracy also did not work because of the Great Depression and the unemployment it caused. Demand for Japanese silk was badly affected and people’s savings were wiped out. This made the Japanese blame the democratic parties in power for the Great Depression

Parliamentary democracy also did not work because of the rise of ultra-nationalistic, military groups like the Black Dragon Society and the Cherry Blossom society became very appealing. They conducted political assassinations and demanded for a strong, central government. These political trends made democracy unpopular and ultranationalistic groups even more popular. The call of militarist groups was popular because they argued that since Japan was a small country and had no raw materials, except silk, they needed markets and raw materials from overseas expansion.

6. Where did they get all their weapon and resources for the war?

Japan is a country which does not have many natural resources. Japan in the end, was able to create a strong war industry because they received raw materials from overseas expansion. From Manchuria an China , they were able to acquire coal (for fuel), iron ore, some tin and oil, as well as a large industrial base. They also received money or capital from producing cheap electrical items and through trade.

II. Japan’s Foreign Policy

1. How was Japan able to quickly rise to power?

Japan was able to quickly rise to power because they were able to recover from the Great Depression and economic recession in the 1930s faster than the European colonial powers. This made the League of Nations and the European colonial powers turn a blind eye to Japan’s expansion in Manchuria and North China.

Japan was also quickly able to rise to power because the League of Nations was powerless to stop them. They had no army of their own and lacked the will to fight a war. Major powers like the USA were also not members of the League of Nations and the US even had Neutrality Laws to ensure that they did not involve themselves in supplying war material to any country at war.

Japan was also able to quickly rise to power because its neighbouring territories were weak. China had just been unified in 1927 and was fighting against the communists. They were in the midst of reforms. The Soviet Union was experimenting with collectivization and had purged its armed forces of its officers.

2. How did they participate in World War I?

During World War II, Japan participated in World War I by looking after the German possessions in Liaodong, Shantung and Tsingtao Peninsula. They issued the 21 demands to the Chinese government which requested the control of import and export taxes, railway and consultation in all matters.

See for a list of demands.

During World War I, Japan was on the side of the Allies. Why did they switch sides?

Japan switched sides because by the 1930s, Japan’s relations with the West had gone from bad to worse. During World War 1, they did not get a clause in the League of Nations which stated that all races were equal. During the Washing Naval Conference, they were again angered when Japan was only allowed to build a navy 3/5th the size of the the US and British navy. They were also angered by US immigration policies which prevented Japanese from becoming citizens. These relations became worse when the US placed an embargo on iron, steel, oil and all strategic materials going into Japan. Their assets were even frozen. This made Japan howl for US blood.

Japan also switched sides because expansion was seen as a rightful and legitimate way of safeguarding and looking after Japan’s interests. With Japan’s small population size and lack of natural resources, Japan expansion in Manchuria, Korea and China were seen as practical and forward looking policies which would ensure Japan’s political and economic dominance in the region. This coincided with Germany and Italy’s expansion in Europe and Africa. As such, Japan found much in common with Germany and Italy and eventually signed the Anti-Comintern Pact, later called the Pact of Steel with Hitler and Mussolini. This made them move away from the Allies and the League of Nations and like Hitler and Mussolini, they would expand their territories despite what the Allies were saying.

III. Japan’s relations with Manchuria

1. Before the Mukden Incident, why was Japan enraged when Russia built the South Manchurian railway?

Japan was angered because the South Manchuria railway would have ensured that Russia would have a monopoly in the economy of Manchuria. Railways are responsible for opening up the land and with its construction, more Russian investors and people would come to settle in Russia, perhaps even making Manchuria a Russian colony. In order to prevent this, Japan fought the Russo-Japanese War in 1905 to prevent Russia from controlling Manchuria’s political and economic future.

2. Why was the Liaodong area so important to Japan? Is it because of vital interests? If so, what vital interests?

The Liaodong peninsula was initially part of Chinese territory but in 1898, after defeating the Chinese in the 1st Sino-Japanese War, the Chinese had to hand over Liaodong to the Japan.

However, western powers like Russia, Germany and France intervened to prevent Japan acquiring the Liaodong Peninsula. This is called the Triple Intervention. They intervened because they did not want Japan to have a strong influence in the region. (Japan instead received an extra 30 million tales of silver as indemnity)

Liaodong was important after 1898 because it was a symbol of Japanese pride. Previously, the Liaodong Peninsula had been denied to them because Western powers were trying to prevent Japan from becoming a world colonial power. The acquisition of Liaodong would indicate that Japan had at last received that status and defied the Western powers.

Liaodong was also important because of its raw materials like some petroleum, natural, agriculture, wood and the strategic port of Dalian.

3. Why would they bother to recognize Puyi as emperor when the Japanese can just take over it?

The Japanese wanted to recognize Puyi as emperor because they did not want to receive world criticism, from the US and from the League of Nations, for invading and annexing Manchuria. (That’s why they set up a puppet state) Japan during this time was still a member of the League of Nations.

The Japanese also wanted to still be on good terms with Western powers despite annexing Manchuria because they were concerned that the Soviet Union might use it as an opportunity to invade Manchuria. They were also concerned about the spread of communism.

The Japanese also recognized Puyi as emperor because when the Manchu dynasty fell in 1911, the British did hope that the Japanese would nominate P'u Yi the emperor of Manchuria. Japan hoped that by choosing Puyi as the emperor of Manchukuo, the British would say nothing and quietly agree to the arrangement.

The Japanese also chose Puyi because P'u Yi was on good terms with the Japanese. Puyi spent several years plotting with the Japanese to become emperor of Manchuria. When Manchukuo was created, he provided with money and a beautiful house.

4. Japan wanted Manchuria for resources only?

Besides wanting Manchuria for resources (industrial base, raw materials, minerals), Manchuria also had a strategic importance to Japan because of its location. Geo-strategically, it protected Japan’s possessions in Korea. Japan wanted Manchuria to be a buffer zone between the Soviet Union and the growing Chinese influence.

Japan also wanted Manchuria because it would prevent communism and the Guomindang from spreading their ideology and influence in Manchuria. The setting up of a puppet state would prevent this.

Japan also wanted Manchuria because it had large, fertile agricultural plains. It was seen by Japan as a solution to her growing population and need for more land.

Lastly, Japan wanted Japan for strategic reasons and there was sense of urgency on why Japan needed to do something about Manchuria. Chang Xueliang (also called Chang Hsuehliang)was the Manchurian Warlord and he was beginning to develop close ties with the Guomindang in China. He was also beginning to build a railway network that rivaled the Japanese owned South Manchurian railway. (Once it was built, it would connect Manchuria with China and bring in Chinese capital, manpower and settlers) In order to prevent this, Japan needed to manufacture an excuse to invade Japan.

2. What was the significance of the Mukden Incident?

The Mukden Incident was important because it worsened China-Japan’s relationship. It was China who complained to the League of Nations about the creation of the puppet state and which later led to Japan’s decision to leave the League of Nations. With the easy acquisition of Manchuria and the lack of fight put up by Chinese troops stationed in Manchuria (Chinese troops in Manchuria were told to withdraw without fighting), Japan now saw it as a sign of China’s weakness and saw it as a good opportunity to acquire more territories from China. Japan bombed Shanghai soon after the annexation of Manchuria.

The Mukden Incident was also important because it worsened Japan’s relations with the West. When Lord Lytton (from the League of Nations) investigated Manchuria and asked Japan to withdraw its troops from Manchuria (ironically also recommending that China and Japan discuss the possibility of an independent Manchuria), Japan refused to obey and walked out of the League of Nations. This meant that Japan no longer wanted to be a member of the League and could not use League of Nation offices to discuss controversial issues or peace terms with the West through an international organization.

Most importantly, the Mukden Incident is important because it demonstrated that the League of Nations was useless. No military or economic sanctions were applied against Japan and countries like Germany and Italy saw it as a sign of the weakness of the western power. The League’s ineffectiveness encouraged Germany and Italy and Japan to adopt more aggressive and expansionist foreign policies.

The Incident was also important because it made Japan more likely to join expansionist countries like Germany and Italy as allies. They later signed the anti-comintern pact in 1936 – 1937 and became hostile to the League of nations.

3. Why didn’t any countries help China when Manchuria was invaded by Japan?

The League of Nations did not do much to help China other than send the Lytton commission (by ship) and to condemn their actions because Britain and France, the leaders of the League of Nations, were preoccupied with their own problems. It was at the height of the Great Depression and they were preoccupied with solving the unemployment and economic problems they had. (Mukden Incident was in 1931). They were not willing to send troops or apply economic or military sanctions on a country so far away. These operations cost money!

Many countries also did little because Manchuria was not seen as important. It was China which had complained and China was only a minor partner in the League of Nations. Manchuria was also seen as a small problem compared to larger problems like the Great Depression.

6.Why didn’t Russia attack Japan after Japan took Manchuria?

Russia did not want to attack Japan over the Manchurian problem because they had problems of their own. Russia was going through the purges and had gotten rid of 2/3rd of its officer corps. They were not ready for war.

Russia had also failed in their collectivization experiment and there was famine in the land. Russia was not ready for war.

IV. The Marco Polo Bridge Incident and the invasion of China 1937

1. Why is Japan’s relationship with China not good?

Japan’s relationship with China was not good because Japan was on the ascendancy and they were concerned about the reunification of China under Chiang Kai Shek in 1927. Chiang was industrializing and reforming China and Japan was worried that a strong China would prevent China from expanding their economics and influence.

Japan’s relationship with China was also not good because there was an increasing anti-Japanese stand in his government. Students and Chinese citizens boycotted the purchase of Japanese goods and called for the withdrawal of Japan from Chinese territories and special concessions.

Japan’s relations with China was also not good because there were already numerous incidents which made Sino-Japanese relations tense – China’s defeat by Japan in 1898 and the loss of Korea, the loss of the Liaodong Peninsula, Japanese economic and military influence in Manchuria.

2. What were the reasons for Japan’s invasion on China?

Japan invaded China because of its raw materials. Japan did not have natural resources and used territorial expansion as a means to get more raw materials. It was for this reason that she wanted to acquire (and later acquired) the Liaodong Peninsula, Manchuria and Korea.

Japan also invaded China, largely because they were concerned about how China was developing. Japan was concerned that if Japan did not act to invade China, China would get too strong and resist Japanese aggression. There were already signs that China was beginning to resist Japanese aggression with greater ferocity. In 1936, Guomindang leader Chiang Kaishek was even kidnapped and had to abandon his anti-communist campaign to resist the Japanese more strongly. The Chinese began to boycott Japanese goods and even cooperated with the communists to set up a United Front against the Japanese.

Japan also invaded China because they felt that it was an opportune time to do so as far as the international climate was concerned. Germany was on the rise and France, Britain and the USA were still weakened by the Great Depression. It was unlikely that the Western powers could resist very strongly or could voice strong opposition to Japan’s invasion of China.

Japan also invaded China largely because they had lost control of events in the China front. The Japanese government and the foreign ministry did not want to have a full-scale war on its hands. However, like the Manchurian incident, local army units like the Kwantung Army, tried to manufacture an excuse to launch a full-scale invasion of China. This was found during the Marco Polo Bridge Incident where Chinese refusal to let Japanese troops across the border led to a shooting incident which led to war in Asia.

3. Was there a need to launch a full scale invasion following the failure to find the missing soldier?

No, there was no such need to launch a full-scale invasion. The soldier was later found safe within the Chinese section of Beijing. It is apparent that the Japanese Kwantung army did use it as an excuse to start full-scale war with China

Another piece of evidence which suggests that the Japanese Kwantung Army was responsible is that finding excuses for war seem to be a Kwantung Army speciality. In 1931, they blew up railway tracks and derailed a train on the South Manchurian railway (something they owned) to stir up Japanese public support for the occupation of Manchuria. In 1928, they had again tried to create an excuse for war by murdering the Manchurian warlord, Zhang Zuolin (Chang Tsolin). (Zuolin was killed but his son, Zhang Xueliang was more pro-Chinese and anti-Japanese when compared with the elder Zhang)

Some Japanese apologists argue that the war happened because communists in the Chinese army wanted to start a war and caused trouble by deliberately shooting at Japanese troops. They argue that the communists wanted a war because this would unite the Chinese nation and create the war everyone knew was going to break out.

The Pacific War 1941 - 1945

1. Why was Japan so bold as to attack Pearl Harbor even though they had lesser troops compared to the US?

Japan was bold because they knew that there was little choice that they had. After the US put a trade embargo on oil, steel, petroleum and iron on Japan, the Japanese had little choice except to either withdraw from China or fight for the oil in the Dutch East Indies. Once they attacked Southeast Asia for its oil, rubber and tin, the USA would definitely declare war on Japan. Rather than wait for the US to declare war, Japan thought it was a better idea to strike at Pearl Harbour and to cripple the US Pacific Fleet. The attack at Pearl Harbour would prevent US troops from being sent to Southeast Asia.

Japan was also bold because they knew that the rest of the world was preoccupied with what was going on in Europe. Hitler had conquered Western Europe and France had fallen. Britain was fighting for her survival in the Battle of Britain and the US was trying to help Britain stay afloat by giving them loans and equipment. Japan thought this was a good time to strike at the Americans.

Japan was also bold because they had the element of surprise and had made all precautions to keep their attack a secret. Tojo, the prime minister of Japan, encouraged the Japanese Foreign Minister to make efforts to reach agreement with the United States. At the same time, however, he gave orders for the Japanese fleet to attack Pearl Harbour. This would ensure that total surprise would be achieved.

2. Why was the US Pacific fleet caught off guard at Pearl Harbor? Were they complacent?

They were caught off guard because that the rest of the world was preoccupied with what was going on in Europe. Hitler had conquered Western Europe and France had fallen. Britain was fighting for her survival in the Battle of Britain and the US was trying to help Britain stay afloat by giving them loans and equipment. Japan thought this was a good time to strike at the Americans.

The US Pacific Fleet was also caught off guard because there was little sharing of information between the different intelligence agencies in the US. The Naval and Army had different radar systems and did not share intelligence. The FBI all did not share information on what they knew about the Japanese threat. By the time, intelligence about the Japanese fleet sailing for Pearl Harbour reached Hawaii, it was too late.

The US Pacific Fleet was also caught off guard because Tojo, the prime minister of Japan, encouraged the Japanese Foreign Minister to make efforts to reach agreement with the United States. Peace negotiations were still going on for the US to stop aiding China, to stay out of Asian affairs, and to begin shipping oil to Japan right away. These talks were still in progress when Pearl Harbour happened.

The US Pacific fleet was also caught off guard because they under-estimated Asians. Asians were seen as incapable of seeing in the dark due to their narrow eyes and not capable in warfare. In fact, in early 1941, General Robert Brooke-Popham, Commander-in-Chief of British forces in the Far East, reported that one of his battalion commanders had lamented, 'Don't you think (our men) are worthy of some better enemy than the Japanese?' This underestimation can in part be explained by the fact that Japan had become bogged down by its undeclared war against China since 1931. Since Japan was having such difficulties in China, the reasoning went, its armed forces would be no match for the British and Americans.

3. What was the significance of Pearl Harbour

The importance of Pearl Harbour was that it dragged the US into war with Japan. It was war Japan could not win because by attacking Pearl Harbour, Japan had antagonized the world’s largest industrial and military power. During the course of the war, Japan would not be able to replace the lost equipment and lost men in the war. The US could.

The importance of Pearl Harbour was also that the attack was not a total success for Japan. The failure to destroy the aircraft carriers (USS Enterprise and USS Lexington) in the Pacific Fleet had long term consequences. (the carriers were out of the harbour on navy exercises and other missions). By failing to destroy the carriers, Japan missed an opportunity to totally destroy the Pacific fleet. These same aircraft carriers would be later used in the Battle of Midway and would cripple the Japanese naval fleet. [The USS Lexington and Enterprise were actually on their way to the Pacific islands of Wake and Midway to deliver fighter planes. They were also lightly escorted]

To me, the most important significance of Pearl Harbour was that it led to American entrance into World War 2. US President Roosevelt wanted to aid Britain in fighting Germany and Italy, however, American public was determined to keep out of the war. When the attack on Pearl Harbour occurred, Germany and Italy had totally nothing to do with it. However, Germany and Italy did President Roosevelt a huge favour by declaring war on USA! This brought USA into the Second World War and with American industrial and military (potential) might, eventually slanted the war slightly in favour of the Allies.

4. Why didn’t Russia attack Japan during the early parts of World War II or even throughout World War II?

Russia actually DID attack Japan in the early parts of World War 2. From May to September 1939, the Soviet Union and Japan fought in the desert border in eastern Mongolia.

In fact, even between 1932 – 1938, along the 3000 mile border between Manchukuo and the Soviet Union, hundreds of border clashes occurred between the Japanese and the Russians.

Russo-Japanese border clashes however did not become full scale invasions and become major military operations because logistical support (eg. Roads and railways) in these areas were very backward. The Japanese were in fact defeated in 1939 in the Battle of Khalkhin Khol and were afraid of another defeat.

When Hitler attacked the Soviet Union in 1941 and was on the verge of defeating the Russian armies, the Japanese were again tempted to join the assault. However, the shadow of their defeat in the battle of Khalkhin Gol haunted them. This made the Japanese turn to Southeast Asia and the Pacific, instead of to the Soviet Union territories.

See for details of the Battle of Khalkhin Gol

5. Why did Japan not invade Thailand but instead form an alliance with the Thai government?

Japan did not invade Thailand and instead formed an alliance with the Thai government because it made sense for Japan to do so. Japan did not want to be bogged down or tied down in fighting in Thailand when their objective was actually Malaya (rubber and tin) and the Dutch East Indies (oil). If more time was spent fighting in Thailand, it would also mean that it would alert the British of an attack on Malaya.

Japan also formed an alliance with the Thai government because the Thai government was willing to do so. The Thai government under Pibul Songgram realized that it would have been futile to resist the Japanese. With British fighting for their own survival in the Battle of Britain, Britain would not be able to come to Thailand’s aid. The USA was too far away and unlikely to aid Thailand in their war against Japan. Therefore, alliance seemed like the most opportunity for peace. Moreover, Japan promised Thailand that if the alliance was sealed, Japan would let Thailand control Cambodia and the Northern Malay States of Kelantan, Kedah and Perlis, in return for Japanese permission to travel across Thai territory to attack Malaya.

Japan’s Defeat

1. What were the causes for Japan’s defeat?

Japan was defeated because taking on the US and failing to destroy the Pacific Fleet in the attack on Pearl Harbour was the biggest strategic mistake Japan made. By attacking Pearl Harbour, it dragged the US into war with Japan. It was a war Japan could not win because Japan had antagonized the world’s largest industrial and military power. During the course of the war, Japan would not be able to replace the lost equipment and lost men in the war. The US could. Towards the end of World War 2, Japan was starved of resources and it was a only a matter of time before Japan would have to surrender.

Japan was also defeated because it had overstretched its resources. By the end of the war, Japan was involved in fighting the Guomindang in China, fighting the British in India and Burma and fighting the Americans in the Pacific. It was a war Japan could not win because she had overexpanded. In fact, by 1944 and 1945, US bombers were bombing Japanese cities daily and US submarine warfare had prevented resources from reaching Japan. Japan was being blockaded and practically starving.

Japan was also defeated because US strategy of using Island Hopping Campaign was an effective strategy in leading to Japan’s defeat. Island Hopping refers to the use of Sea-Land cooperation to attack islands in the Pacific leading to the Japanese islands. If Japanese-held islands were too strong and could be by-passed by US naval forces, they would be by-passed and left to decay. Island Hopping campaigns also included the use of engineers to quickly build airstrips on Pacific islands which could be used to provide air support to military operations in the area.

Japan was finally defeated because atom bombs were used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to bring the war to a quick end. Instead of fighting long, costly and deadly battles on Japanese islands like the one in Okinawa, the US opted to use terrible weapons like nuclear bombs to end the war in the Pacific. The use of these terrible weapons shocked Japan into defeat.

2. Why was Japan insistent on not surrendering?

If not for the atom bombs, Japan may have fought to the death. Japan was insistent on not surrendering because many Japanese held on to a military code of conduct called Bushido. According to this idea, surrender was shameful. Since young, many Japanese were taught to believe that the Emperor was directly descended from the Sun Goddess. Bushido and the education system taught people to restore a past racial and spiritual purity lost in recent times. They were indoctrinated from an early age to revere the Emperor and to see war as an act that could purify the self, the nation, and ultimately the whole world. Within this framework, the supreme sacrifice of life itself was regarded as the purest of accomplishments. For this reason, surrender was considered shameful and dishonorable. The most extraordinary story belongs to Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda, who continued fighting on the Philippine island of Lubang until 9 March 1974 - nearly 29 years after the end of the war.

Japan also did not surrender because it felt that after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the US would seek revenge on Japan and destroy it totally. The Japanese were afraid that having antagonized the US, the US would not treat Japan kindly. This is why in the battle of Saipan, Japanese mothers held their babies in their arms and hurled themselves over the cliffs rather than be taken prisoner. Not only were there virtually no survivors of the 30,000 strong Japanese garrison on Saipan, two out of every three civilians - some 22,000 in all - also died. The battles also got fiercer and had more casualties as US forces neared Japan.

Japan also did not surrender because they feared their own leaders and did not want to be outcasts. Life in the Japanese army was brutal. Letters and diaries written by student conscripts before they were killed in action speak of harsh beatings and soldiers being kicked senseless for the most trivial of matters, such as serving their superior's rice too slowly or using a vest as a towel. The harsh and strict treatment of their own soldiers, combined with the code of Bushido, ensured that Japanese soldiers usually fought to their death.

3. Why was Emperor Hirohito not put on trial for starting World War 2.

Emperor Hirohito was not put on trial for starting World War 2 because if he was ever put on trial, the Japanese citizens would not have laid down their weapons and surrendered, even after the use of atom bombs. Since young, Japanese children were taught to revere the emperor and to believe that he was a descendant of the Sun Goddess. They were taught to follow the emperor’s instructions to the latter and that to die for him was an honor. If Hirohito was put on trial, the fighting would go on, making peace after world war 2 between Americans and the Japanese would have even had to be harder. Thus, people like General MacArthur decided to let him off.

Emperor Hirohito was also not put on trial because it was Emperor Hirohito who made the brave decision to tell Japanese troops to lay down their weapons. When he made the radio broadcast for Japan to surrender unconditionally, he was acting on his own accord and doing it for the sake of peace. It was also the first time the people of Japan had heard his voice ‘live’ on the radio.

Emperor Hirohito was also not put on trial because it was not clear what role he had in making the decision to attack Pearl Harbour and Southeast Asia. The Emperor of Japan traditionally had little role to play in the decisions made by the Japanese government and there was little he could have done to stop the militarists. He was more of a symbol of the state than an actually ruler.

However, he was not entirely blameless. Hirohito, was aware of the decision to attack Pearl Harbor and Southeast Asia BEFORE they occurred. The decisions were made unanimously by the cabinet and the emperor was fully informed about them. Those decision were even often made in his presence. Hirohito even knew in advance of the plan to attack Hawaii, and he even made suggestions about how to carry it out.

3. Why did he surrender if the Emperor is just a puppet?

He was not a puppet. With Tojo’s resignation and Japan’s no-hope situation for victory, someone had to make the decision to surrender. The emperor may had had little role to play in the decisions made by the Japanese government, however, he was still a symbol of the state and Japan’s emperor. In the absence of any real leadership, he therefore had to make the difficult decision of announcing Japan’s unconditional surrender. He had to surrender because Japan had lost 2.3 million soldiers and 800,000 civilians in the war

He also had to surrender because he had to unite his country and rebuild his country from the ashes of World War 2. After world war 2, the emperor therefore provided much-needed national unity for Japan. He also had to accepting MacArthur's bargain -- help me rebuild Japan and I'll keep you from being tried as a war criminal . In the end, Hirohito did his part to remake Japan along an American model, backing the new US-based constitution. Hirohito also "renounced" his divinity, and tried gamely to play the part of "Japan's first democrat."

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