So emperor Hirohito died and lived to his 80s or 90s, why wasn’t he instantly killed or sent to jail after the war ended. Did he get punished at all?
In: 1701
The emperor’s support was critical to ending WWII. There were Japanese soldiers on islands who fought on for a decade after the end of the war. If the emperor told people in the homeland to fight to the end, it would have resulted in millions of Japanese and American military deaths, plus millions more of Japanese civilians.
To be clear, it is a “greater good” argument to let the emperor and his family go free and continue their positions (even if weaker). The rape of Nanking could trace responsibility to the imperial family. The countless who died and were raped never saw those responsible be held accountable.
Additionally, there’s pressure to end the war before the soviets could take more land, and also to end it soon enough where Kai-Shek’s nationalists in China could retain their upper hand (which didn’t last) in the paused civil war.
Looking at Japan’s post-war recovery and the US’ alliance with Japan, it’s hard to say that it didn’t work out well for both of them in the end. I personally think it was the best choice available, but definitely not a perfect one.
Latest Answers