It was not a question of Japan still having the power to win the war against the USA. Rather, the issue was how many more USA soldiers and marines would have to die to conquer the Japanese home islands. The USA military and political commanders chose to try to stop the war to save American lives by dropping the only two atomic bombs that had been constructed. If Japan had not then surrendered it would have taken many additional months for the US to build any additional atomic bombs. So, most likely, the US would have continued to fire-bomb Japan with conventional bombs, causing even more Japanese deaths. As it was, the atomic bombs finally gave the Japanese Emperor Hirohito the reason he needed to surrender his honor.
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Nihonjin1051 what's your take on this ?
Very well said. As you and others here may already know, the Battle of Iwo Jima and Battle of Okinawa (not taking into consideration the Battles of Peleilu, Saipan and other islands close to Japan home islands) were very brutal. Battle of Iwo Jima resulted in 25,000 American casualties (Japanese casualties were 22,000). In Okinawa, American casualties were 50,000 and Japanese were at 110,000.
Prior to Emperor Hirohito's intervention and called for the terms of surrender, the Japanese Imperial Armed Forces were preparing for defense of the home islands. The marshaling of some 80 Million Japanese civilians and Military personnel for the last defense of the nation. The casualties on both Japanese and Allied forces would have been high had Operation Olympia been initiated.
I believe that the Atom Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were destructive, as they were civilian centers. I blame the Military Government of Hideki Tojo for failing to accept and consider surrender terms months prior to this. The lunacy of ultra-nationalism and vehement militarism is to be blamed.
I also am grateful for His Imperial Majesty for breaking Imperial Precedent for personally intervening , even against the threat of military forces who were threatening the Emperor's own life for daring to record a message to the public.
The War had been exhaustive for Japan; militarily, economically, socially, spiritually. We had been at war since 1931. 3 Million Japanese soldiers, sailors died in the war, and hundreds of thousands of our civilians , too.
The Atom Bombs were a blessing and a curse. A curse because it silenced over 140,000 Japanese lives at once, thousands more due to radiation. Yet it was a blessing, because it was catalyst for the Emperor to personally intervene and end the destructive conflict. Even while knowing that the brave sons of Japan were dying and fighting for Him. It was a blessing because it , indirectly, led to the salvation of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Japanese civilians.
My grandfather served as an officer in the Imperial Japanese Navy. He had 3 brothers, who , too, served in the Imperial Japanese Navy. My grandfather was the only one that returned home alive. The war was deeply felt in my family.
My prayers for the souls of my grand uncles, my grandfather, and all soldiers who fought valiantly for Japan.
My prayers also for the souls of the allied soldiers who fought valiantly in defense of their nation(s).
My prayers for all civilians who died in the war: Japanese, Chinese, Korea, Filipino, Indian, Malay et al.