AUGUST 15, 1945
JAPAN HESITATES
By August 1945, America was poised to achieve total victory in World War II. As described in my article Downfall, the August 6, 1945, atomic attack on Hiroshima made it clear. The Potsdam Declaration was no bluff. American broadcasts and leaflets announced the nuclear catastrophe and existence of the atomic bomb to the Japanese people. But it took several days for stunned Japanese leaders to gather some idea of what had happened from confusing reports. Unfortunately, ruling military officials defiantly minimized the profound significance of the Enola Gay atomic mission. They ignored its transitional impact and rationalized continued resistance. Meanwhile, on August 8, Foreign Minister Shigenori Togo presented the emperor a detailed report about Hiroshima. He urged His Divine Majesty to end the war promptly. The recommendation was to accept the Potsdam Declaration.
SOVIET INTERVENTION
At 11:00 pm on August 8 in Moscow, Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov summoned Japanese ambassador Naotake Sato. The USSR was declaring war on Japan. As a result, Soviet forces invaded Manchuria and overwhelmed the Japanese Kwantung Army. Following this ominous development, the Japanese Supreme Council remained deadlocked. Military leaders Yoshijirō Umezu, Soemu Toyoda, and Korechika Anami remained firm in their unrealistic demands for surrender, including (a.) a guarantee that the emperor remained as sovereign; (b.) no Allied occupation, and (c.) Japan would be made responsible for disarmament and any war crimes prosecution. Prime Minister Kantarō Suzuki, Togo, and Navy chief Mitsumasa Yonai argued that the Potsdam Declaration was non-negotiable. The rejection of the ultimatum on July 28 led to Hiroshima. As Sato advised, the only ambiguity was the status of the monarchy, which the Allies had carefully refrained from specifying.
SECONDARY TARGET
At 10:00 am on August 9 in Tokyo, Emperor Showa (Hirohito) granted Suzuki an audience. Marquis Kido, Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal, told Suzuki that Japan should end the war by “taking advantage of the Potsdam terms.” His Divine Majesty wished to hear the views of his ministers. However, forty-five minutes earlier, America dropped a second atomic bomb on Japan. Commanded by Maj. Charles W. Sweeney of Quincy, Massachusetts, a B-29 named Bockscar delivered a plutonium implosion device nicknamed Fat Man. The city of Kokura was the primary target. After three bombing runs, visibility remained overcast and deemed insufficient. Sweeney diverted to the secondary target of Nagasaki, which then sadly suffered the same horrific fate as Hiroshima.
INDECISION AND INTERVENTION
Meanwhile, the Supreme Council met as news of Nagasaki arrived. Incredibly, the three military diehards continued to insist on their unrealistic conditions. The indecisive melodrama continued before the full Imperial Court and dragged late into the evening of August 9. Then, in an extraordinary session at Midnight, His Divine Majesty intervened. He informed his ministers that they “had to bear the unbearable.” He ordered them to accept the Potsdam Declaration. Tokyo sent a message to Washington through Sweden and Switzerland. The message clearly stated that Japan accepted. They did so with the understanding that the declaration does not compromise the status of His Majesty as Sovereign Ruler. The U. S. replied. The status of the emperor and government would be at the discretion of the Supreme Commander Allied Powers, Gen. Douglas MacArthur. After that, President Truman suspended B-29 conventional and atomic attacks by the Twentieth Air Force.
COUP D’ETAT AND SURRENDER
In Tokyo, Japan’s outraged military leaders vowed to fight on. Anami and Umezu controlled the resources to seize power. First, the Americans intercepted Foreign Ministry cables from Tokyo warning embassies that the military rejected the surrender terms. Next, they intercepted messages from Imperial General Headquarters ordering all military units to “preserve the Fatherland and annihilate the enemy.” Thus, an atmosphere of great peril fell over Tokyo. So, on August 14, B-29s resumed missions over Japan. At 11:00 pm, Hirohito met with the cabinet and ordered surrender. Washington learned about the decision just before 3:00 a.m. EWT. As a result, and misrepresenting the alleged blessing of Anami and Umezu, a coup d’état broke out. Marauding junior officers briefly occupied the Imperial Palace. But cooler heads prevailed. After consuming a conspicuous supply of sake, Anami sliced open his stomach in the ritual of seppuku (hara-kiri).
THE JEWEL VOICE BROADCAST
His Divine Majesty recorded a radio address that NHK (the Japan Broadcasting Company) personnel hid from the fanatical young officers. NHK broadcast the address and an Imperial Rescript at noon, Japan Standard Time, August 15. Hirohito told his people that the war had not necessarily developed in Japan’s favor. They had to imagine the unimaginable and needed to accept the Potsdam Declaration. He said that a new and cruel weapon forced his decision. But he spoke in formal court language. An NHK announcer had to explain in common vernacular that Japan surrendered.
RELIEF AND CELEBRATION
First, at 7:00 pm Eastern War Time on August 14, CBS World News Tonight anchor Robert Trout broke the news. He announced that Japan had accepted the Potsdam Agreement. Therefore, World War II was at an end. Meanwhile, President Harry Truman announced that Japan had complied and surrendered to the satisfaction of the United States government. Then the president declared Wednesday, August 15, a day of celebration and prayer. V-J or Victory over Japan Day would await a formal surrender ceremony. Joyous Americans and people around the world broke into spontaneous celebration. Moreover, everyone felt great relief that America had avoided the catastrophic invasions of Operation Olympic and Operation Coronet. Truman’s resolve and Hirohito’s courage had saved millions of lives. Their actions spared Japan from virtual extinction due to continued bombing, starvation by quarantine, or invasion.
ENDURING THE UNENDURABLE
At first, the staff of the Supreme Commander instructed a Japanese delegation to travel to Ie Shima. Next, they flew to Manila to start the transition to American occupation. On August 28, 1945, Americans landed at Atsugi Airbase near Tokyo. Broadcasting personnel took control of NHK, where Japanese colleagues warmly greeted them. Meanwhile, other surprised Americans also received a friendly welcome. Theodore White of Time and Life was amazed to see a “curious attitude” at Atsugi. “The Japanese acted as if we were partners in a common cause. (Japanese diplomats and newsmen) shook hands with the Americans, and interpreters rushed back and forth, beaming with goodwill.” Then, on August 31, 1945, wearing his sunglasses and armed only with his trademark corncob pipe, Gen. Douglas MacArthur dramatically stepped off his C-54 Bataan. Thus, a new era dawned for Japan.
THE NEW JAPAN
The people of Japan were conditioned to fear Americans. Employers distributed cyanide pills so women would kill themselves rather than submit to rape. But Gen. MacArthur had a different plan for Japanese women. Above all, he would give them the vote in a new and democratic nation. Moving into the Yokohama New Grand Hotel, the Supreme Commander refused to have his food tasted. He was determined that the occupation be peaceful and constructive from the outset. MacArthur ordered American forces to only eat their own rations. He forbade them to impose upon the Japanese people for sustenance. Then, he refused to impose martial law or curfews. He also allowed Japanese fisherman to ply the coastal waters for their catch freely. Word spread about this surprising and beneficent Supreme Commander. Meanwhile, as Americans became acquainted with Japanese civilians, it became clear that preoccupation fears were unwarranted.
SEPTEMBER 2, 1945
On the morning of September 2, 1945, a refreshing mist spread across the coastal hills surrounding Tokyo Bay. A solemn delegation of Japanese military officers and diplomats headed across the waters toward the formidable battleship Missouri. The emotional entourage was dumbfounded by the hundreds of warships that rode quietly at anchor. Once aboard, they were met by thousands of American sailors and dignitaries from all the allied United Nations. With Gen. Jonathan Wainwright, who surrendered the Philippines, and Gen. Arthur Percival, who surrendered Singapore, standing behind him, the Supreme Commander spoke movingly of victory in a subdued tone.
OLYMPIAN MOMENT
The Japanese officials marveled at MacArthur’s lack of vindictiveness. Toschikazu Kase of the Foreign Ministry reported “What a stirring eloquence and noble vision. Here is the victor announcing the verdict to the prostrate enemy. He can exact his pound of flesh if he so chooses. He can impose a humiliating penalty of he so desires. And yet he pleads for freedom, tolerance, and justice … for the living heroes and dead martyrs of the war this speech was a wreath of undying flowers. MacArthur’s words sailed on wings … this narrow quarterdeck was now transformed into an altar of peace.” Correspondents described MacArthur’s demeanor as “Olympian.” During the ceremony, Adm. Chester W. Nimitz signed the instrument of surrender as the representative of the United States. After that, hundreds of American bombers and fighters flew overhead in impressive victory formations.
A NOBLER IDEAL
On September 3, new Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu appeared at the Imperial Court. He read Kase’s report about the events aboard the Missouri to the curious Hirohito, who listened intently. Initially, Kase reported that it was a “rare good fortune” that a man of “such caliber and character” would shape Japan’s destiny. “In our hour of darkness, a bright light is ushered in, in the very person of Gen. MacArthur.” Then Kase wondered if victory had been theirs. Would they have embraced the vanquished with similar magnanimity? “Clearly, it would have been different… we were not beaten on the battlefield by dint of superior arms. We were defeated in the spiritual contest by a nobler ideal. The real issue was moral and beyond all the powers of algebra to compute.”
CHERRY BLOSSOMS
Aboard Missouri, Kase had noticed the many rising sun flag decals on the steel bulkhead. “I could hardly bear the sight … heroes of unwritten stories, those were young boys who defied death gaily and gallantly … they were like cherry blossoms, emblems of our national character, swiftly blooming into riotous beauty and falling just as quickly.” Hirohito lingered over this closing remark for a long time. He sighed deeply, nodded and murmured “Ah so, ah so deska.”
This narrative continues with The Marshall Plan and NATO – America’s Finest Hour. Meanwhile, please read my earlier installments Trinity and Downfall. You can find all the details of August 1945 in my book. It is called America Ascendant, the Rise of American Exceptionalism. It is available from fine booksellers everywhere.