Hirohito
Hirohito was born on the 29th of April 1901 at Tōgū Palace in Aoyama, Tokyo. He entered the world as Prince Michi during the reign of his grandfather, Emperor Meiji. His early years were spent away from the main court under the care of Count Kawamura Sumiyoshi. This arrangement lasted until he was three years old when Kawamura died and the boy returned to imperial life. At age eight, Hirohito began elementary studies at Gakushūin, known as Peers School. General Nogi Maresuke served as the school's president and oversaw his education. After Nogi's death, Fleet Admiral Togo Heihachiro took charge of his training. Naval Captain Ogasawara Naganari also became a key figure in his upbringing. These men would later become major opponents regarding national defense policy. In 1912, eleven-year-old Hirohito received commissions into both the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy. He held the rank of Second Lieutenant and Ensign respectively. The same year, Emperor Meiji passed away on the 30th of July 1912. His father Yoshihito ascended the throne as Emperor Taishō. Hirohito became heir apparent shortly after.
Hirohito made an official visit to six European countries between March and September 1921. This journey marked the first time a Japanese crown prince traveled abroad. The battleship Katori carried him from Yokohama through Hong Kong, Singapore, Colombo, Suez, Cairo, and Gibraltar. He arrived in Portsmouth on the 9th of May and met King George V in London. A banquet was held at Buckingham Palace where he spoke with Prince Arthur of Connaught. Later that evening, he dined with Edward VIII at Windsor Castle. At Oxford University, Professor Joseph Robson Tanner delivered a lecture on royal relationships. Hirohito received an honorary doctorate degree there. He visited Edinburgh and stayed three days with John Stewart-Murray, 8th Duke of Atholl. Upon returning to Japan, he became Regent on the 25th of November 1921 due to his father's mental illness. In April 1923, he visited colonial Taiwan for twelve days. Eight chefs prepared meals including swallow's nest and shark fin dishes. They fasted and bathed ritually before cooking. He walked into Beitou Creek to study its radioactive mineral content. Stones used as stepping stones were later named after him. On the 27th of December 1923, Daisuke Nanba attempted to assassinate him during the Toranomon incident. The attempt failed and the assassin was executed. Hirohito married Princess Nagako Kuni on the 26th of January 1924. They had seven children together.
Japan staged the Mukden Incident in 1931 as a pretext to invade Manchuria. Hirohito raised no objection when military leaders recommended this aggression. Following the onset of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937, tensions grew between Japan and the United States. Chamberlain Kuraji Ogura recorded that Hirohito stated once war begins it cannot easily be stopped. He believed one should be cautious starting but thorough once begun. Herbert Bix notes Hirohito feared Soviet attacks more than Chinese resistance. He approved troop movements to North China despite evasive responses from Prince Kan'in. Akira Fujiwara found evidence that Hirohito authorized chemical weapons use against Chinese forces. Specific orders called rinsanmei permitted their deployment. During the invasion of Wuhan from August to October 1938, he authorized chemical weapons on 375 separate occasions. On the 1st of December 1937, he instructed General Iwane Matsui to capture Nanking. An Imperial Rescript followed his return to Tokyo despite brutality inflicted upon civilians. The February 26 incident occurred in 1936 when junior Army officers attempted a coup d'état. Chief Aide-de-camp Shigeru Honjō informed him of the revolt. Hirohito ordered suppression within an hour and asked for reports every thirty minutes. When progress stalled, he declared he would lead the Konoe Division himself. The rebellion was suppressed by the 29th of February.
On the 2nd of November 1940, Japan became a contracting partner of the Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy. Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe submitted a draft decision to Hirohito one day before implementation. Military leaders Sugiyama and Nagano reported directly to him about war chances. Admiral Nagano later recalled seeing the Emperor reprimand them with red face and raised voice. Baron Yoshimichi Hara questioned military planners closely during the Imperial Conference. On the 5th of November 1941, Hirohito approved operations plans against the Western world. He met frequently with Hideki Tōjō until month's end. Despite initial hesitation, he sanctioned the attack on Pearl Harbor. An aide reported he openly showed joy upon learning of surprise attacks success. U.S. Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson noted in his diary that Japan likely planned a surprise strike. On the 8th of December 1941, Japanese forces launched Pacific War attacks targeting U.S. territories. British Empire territories faced invasion in Hong Kong and Malaya. Hirohito pressed Sugiyama four times between January and February to increase troop strength for Bataan attacks. He ordered examination of Chongqing attack possibilities leading to Operation Gogo. Herbert P. Bix states Hirohito personally sanctioned the Three Alls policy responsible for over 2.7 million Chinese civilian deaths. During late 1942 and early 1943, information flow to palace bore less relation to reality yet Hirohito remained well briefed. He pressured High Command regarding Philippines attacks and secured air power deployment in Guadalcanal campaign. Unhappy with navy conduct, he demanded naval battles following losses in Aleutians. Plans for recapture of Saipan and offensive at Okinawa emerged from his insistence.
In April 1945, Emperor Hirohito began individual meetings with senior government officials about war progress. Grand Chamberlain Hisanori Fujita recorded that Hirohito rejected Konoe's recommendation for negotiations until securing a great victory. By June, cabinet reassessed strategy but decided on fight-to-the-last approach. On the 22nd of June, Hirohito met ministers saying concrete plans must end war unhampered by existing policy. The Soviet Union declared war on the 9th of August 1945. Cabinet drafted an Imperial Rescript ending the War following Hirohito's indications. On the 14th of August, he made decision to surrender unconditionally. Suzuki government notified Allies acceptance of Potsdam Declaration. A recording of his speech broadcast over radio on the 15th of August marked first time Japanese people heard him speak publicly. During this historic broadcast, Hirohito stated enemy employed new cruel bomb causing incalculable damage. He warned continuing fight would lead total extinction of human civilization. Speech used formal archaic language unfamiliar to commoners. Army extremists attempted coup d'état evening of the 14th of August seizing Imperial Palace. Physical recording hidden overnight before morning broadcast. After surrender, pressure mounted from Allied countries and Japanese leftists demanding indictment as Class-A war criminal. General Douglas MacArthur excluded evidence incriminating Hirohito from International Military Tribunal for Far East. MacArthur believed cooperative emperor facilitated peaceful occupation regime. He created plan separating Hirohito from militarists while retaining him as constitutional monarch figurehead. Prince Naruhiko Higashikuni replaced Kantaro Suzuki as Prime Minister assisting American occupation.
Hirohito became first reigning Japanese emperor visiting foreign countries and meeting American president. Talks between him and Richard Nixon unplanned initially stop only refueling Europe. Minister Foreign Affairs Takeo Fukuda called ambassador Nobuhiko Ushiba worried causing trouble correcting perceptions party. Early deep royal exchanges happened Denmark Belgium France reunited Edward VIII abdicated 1936 virtually exile chatted briefly. Protests held Britain Netherlands veterans served South-East Asian theatre civilian victims brutal occupation there. Raw eggs vacuum flasks thrown Netherlands exhausting Empress Nagako accompanying Emperor. Protesters stood silence turned backs wearing red gloves symbolizing dead satirical magazine Private Eye used racist double entendre referring visit nasty Nip air. West Germany hostile far-left protests viewed Hirohito East Asian equivalent Adolf Hitler called Hirohitler prompted wider comparative discussion memory perception Axis war crimes. Regarding opposition received report advance press conference the 12th of November returning Japan said welcome cannot ignored each country. At golden wedding anniversary three years later mentioned visit Europe most enjoyable memory fifty years. In 1975, Hirohito visited United States invited President Gerald Ford fourteen days September October. Official meeting occurred the 2nd of October White House state dinner read thanks
helping rebuild Japan after war. Los Angeles Disneyland smiling photo next Mickey Mouse adorned newspapers talk purchase Mickey Mouse watch. Two commemorative stamp types issued return day demonstrating significant undertaking last Shōwa emperor US visit.
Issue Hirohito war responsibility remains contested during war Allies frequently depicted equate with Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini three Axis dictators. U.S. authorities thought retention emperor help establish peaceful allied occupation regime therefore depicted powerless figurehead implication wartime policies. Publication specific archival records 1960s continuing death 1989 growing body evidence historical studies disputed theory powerless figurehead. Historian Peter Wetzler stated debate participation political military affairs Second World War whether initially extent continues animate authors years come. Jennifer Lind associate professor government Dartmouth College specialist Japanese war memory states pieces evidence trickled historians amassed picture culpability reflecting devastated post-war. New evidence surfaced years historians concluded bore amount culpability outbreak crimes perpetrated Japanese military period. Mitsuyoshi Himeta study published 1996 said Three Alls policy adopted China sanctioned Emperor directly indirectly responsible deaths more than 2.7 million Chinese civilians. Herbert P. Bix book Hirohito Making Modern Japan said Sankō Sakusen far surpassed Nanking Massacre terms numbers brutality. Military operations caused death suffering scale incomparably greater totally unplanned orgy killing Nanking symbolized later war. While Nanking Massacre unplanned, Bix said Hirohito knew approved annihilation campaigns including burning villages harbor guerrillas. August 2000 Los Angeles
Times reported top U.S. government officials fully aware intimate role during war. Yuki Tanaka Emeritus Research Professor History Hiroshima City University stated Defense Agency National Institute provide evidence heavily involved creating war policies. Kido Kōichi wartime journal undeniably proves crucial role final decision wage war Allied nations December 1941. Francis Pike noted deeply engaged military operations commissioned war room beneath Tokyo Imperial Palace closely monitor activities. Extensive resources required regular updates drew complaints military officials. To celebrate significant victories rode white horse parades front Imperial Palace. Bob Tadashi Wakabayashi York University stated authority up to 1945 depended three elements constitutional monarch subject legal restrictions binding conventions supreme commander Japanese armed forces though orders often ignored sometimes defied wielded absolute moral authority granting imperial honors conveying incontestable prestige issuing imperial rescripts coercive power greater law.
Up Next
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When was Hirohito born and where did he enter the world?
Hirohito was born on the 29th of April 1901 at Tōgū Palace in Aoyama, Tokyo. He entered the world as Prince Michi during the reign of his grandfather, Emperor Meiji.
What specific actions did Hirohito take regarding chemical weapons use against Chinese forces?
Akira Fujiwara found evidence that Hirohito authorized chemical weapons use against Chinese forces with specific orders called rinsanmei permitting their deployment. During the invasion of Wuhan from August to October 1938, he authorized chemical weapons on 375 separate occasions.
How did Hirohito respond to the February 26 incident coup attempt in 1936?
The February 26 incident occurred in 1936 when junior Army officers attempted a coup d'état and Chief Aide-de-camp Shigeru Honjō informed him of the revolt. Hirohito ordered suppression within an hour and asked for reports every thirty minutes before declaring he would lead the Konoe Division himself.
When did Hirohito make the decision to surrender unconditionally and what followed?
On the 14th of August, he made decision to surrender unconditionally after cabinet drafted an Imperial Rescript ending the War following Hirohito's indications. A recording of his speech broadcast over radio on the 15th of August marked first time Japanese people heard him speak publicly.
What was the outcome of Hirohito's visit to the United States in 1975?
In 1975, Hirohito visited United States invited President Gerald Ford fourteen days September October with official meeting occurring the 2nd of October White House state dinner read thanks helping rebuild Japan after war. Two commemorative stamp types issued return day demonstrating significant undertaking last Shōwa emperor US visit.