Surrender of Japan
By July 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy had ceased to be an effective fighting force. Only six aircraft carriers, four cruisers, and one battleship remained in somewhat working order at naval bases like Kure. These ships could not be fueled adequately due to a lack of oil. The Allied submarine campaign and mining operations had largely destroyed the Japanese merchant fleet. Japan depended on raw materials imported from Manchuria and the Dutch East Indies. Production of coal, iron, steel, rubber, and other vital supplies dropped to only a fraction of pre-war levels. The loss of Saipan in June 1944 led to Prime Minister Hideki Tōjō being replaced by General Kuniaki Koiso. Koiso declared that the Philippines would be the site of a decisive battle. After the fall of the Philippines, Admiral Kantarō Suzuki took over as prime minister. The Allies captured Iwo Jima and Okinawa during the first half of 1945. Okinawa served as a staging area for Operation Downfall, the planned invasion of the Home Islands. Defense preparations included Operation Ketsugō, which planned to send more than 3,000 kamikaze planes against amphibious transports before troops landed. If that failed, another 3,500 kamikazes and 5,000 Shin'yō suicide motorboats were scheduled to attack. The strategy assumed continued Soviet neutrality while Japan prepared its last stand.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized a massive top-secret project to build atomic bombs in 1942. Major General Leslie R. Groves Jr. directed the Manhattan Project, employing hundreds of thousands of American workers at dozens of secret facilities across the United States. On the 16th of July 1945, the first prototype weapon detonated during the Trinity nuclear test. American planners began considering the use of the bomb after Germany's defeat became obvious. A committee formed by Groves met in April and May 1945 to draw up a list of targets. One primary criterion was that target cities must not have been damaged by conventional bombing. This allowed accurate assessment of damage done by the atomic bomb. The targeting committee listed eighteen Japanese cities including Kyoto, Hiroshima, Yokohama, Kokura, and Niigata. Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson removed Kyoto from the list at his insistence because he had visited the city on his honeymoon and knew its cultural significance. Harry S. Truman did not learn about the project until the 23rd of April 1945, eleven days after becoming president following Roosevelt's death on the 12th of April 1945. Truman approved the formation of an Interim Committee on the 2nd of May 1945. The committee concluded in a June 1 report that the bomb should be used as soon as possible against war plants surrounded by workers' homes. No warning or demonstration would be given according to their initial mandate.
The Potsdam Conference ran from July 16 to the 2nd of August 1945 with leaders Stalin, Winston Churchill, and Harry S. Truman representing the Soviet Union, United Kingdom, and United States respectively. Truman learned of the successful Trinity test early in the conference and shared this information with the British delegation. The United States prioritized shortening the war and reducing American casualties while allowing Soviets to capture territory beyond promises made at Tehran and Yalta. On the 26th of July 1945, the United States, Britain, and China released the Potsdam Declaration announcing terms for Japan's surrender. The declaration stated there were no alternatives and warned of prompt and utter destruction if Japan did not comply. Terms specified elimination of authority of those who misled people into world conquest and occupation of points designated by Allies. Japanese sovereignty would be limited to islands of Honshū, Hokkaido, Kyūshū, Shikoku, and minor islands determined by Allies. Japan was to be reduced to pre-1894 territory including loss of Korea and Taiwan plus all recent conquests. Military forces after complete disarmament could return home with opportunity to lead peaceful lives. Stern justice would be meted out to war criminals including those visiting cruelties upon prisoners. The only use of unconditional surrender came at end of declaration calling on government to proclaim now unconditional surrender of all armed forces.
On the 6th of August 1945 at 8:15 am local time, the Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb code-named Little Boy on Hiroshima in southwest Honshū. Confused reports reached Tokyo that Hiroshima had been leveled with a blinding flash and violent blast. President Truman broadcast announcement promising rain of ruin from air never seen before. On August 7, Emperor Hirohito told Kido he did not care what happened personally but wanted no more tragedies. Foreign Minister Shigenori Tōgō met with Emperor citing atomic bomb stating war must come to end. At 04:00 on August 9 word reached Tokyo that Soviet Union declared war on Japan and launched invasion of Manchuria. Soviets delivered declaration two hours before invasion but cut embassy phone lines as revenge for Japanese sneak attack on Port Arthur forty years earlier. News arrived shortly after 11:00 that Nagasaki on west coast of Kyūshū hit by second atomic bomb called Fat Man by United States. By meeting end Big Six split three-three between those favoring Potsdam terms plus one condition versus three further modifying terms. Prime Minister Suzuki stated it impossible to continue war while Navy Minister Yonai said diplomatic proposal needed since they could no longer afford waiting for better circumstances.
Full Japanese cabinet met at 14:30 on August 9 spending most day debating surrender without reaching consensus. War Minister Anami claimed captured American pilot Marcus McDilda revealed stockpile of hundred atom bombs under torture though pilot lied knowing nothing about Manhattan Project. Cabinet adjourned at 17:30 with no agreement then reconvened from 18:00 to 22:00 still deadlocked. Suzuki proposed impromptu Imperial conference starting just before midnight night of 9-the 10th of August presenting Anami's four-condition proposal as Supreme Council consensus. Privy Council President Kiichirō Hiranuma outlined Japan inability defend itself describing domestic problems like food shortage. At around 02:the 0th of August 10 Suzuki addressed Emperor Hirohito asking him decide between two positions. Participants later recollected Emperor stating he desired concrete plans ending war unhampered by existing policy speedily studied implemented. Foreign Ministry sent telegrams via Swiss Department Foreign Affairs Max Grässli announcing acceptance Potsdam Declaration but not accepting peace conditions prejudicing prerogatives Emperor. Allied response written James F. Byrnes approved British Chinese Soviet governments sent August 12 allowing military operations including B-29 firebombings continue until official word received. Truman ordered halt all further bombings while Spaatz strategic bombing refocused efforts wiping out Japanese oil transportation infrastructure.
Late night August 12 Army Minister Anami approached group officers Major Kenji Hatanaka Colonel Okikatsu Arao lieutenant colonels Masataka Ida Inaba Masao Masahiko Takeshita. Arao asked Anami prevent acceptance Potsdam Declaration though Anami refused indicate aiding counteracting potential surrender decision. Conspiring officers decided continue planning attempting coup d'état themselves despite lacking necessary support from Anami. Hatanaka spent much of the 13th of August morning 14 gathering allies seeking support higher-ups Ministry finalizing plans. Night 13-14 Imperial Conference resulted government decision unconditionally surrender shortly after conclusion senior army officers gathered nearby room concerned possibility coup launched preventing surrender. General Torashirō Kawabe Vice Chief Army General Staff proposed senior officers present each sign agreement carrying out Emperor order last. Agreement signed most important officers including Minister War Anami Chief Army General Staff Umezu commander 1st General Army Field Marshal Hajime Sugiyama commander 2nd General Army Field Marshal Shunroku Hata Inspector-General Military Training Kenji Doihara. Around 21:the 30th of August 14 conspirators led Hatanaka set plan motion Second Regiment First Imperial Guards entered palace grounds doubling strength battalion already stationed there presumably providing extra protection against rebellion.
Around 23:the 0th of August 14 Emperor made gramophone record reading text Imperial Rescript on surrender transcribed official court calligrapher brought cabinet signatures. Record given court chamberlain Yoshihiro Tokugawa who hid locker office Empress Kōjun secretary. Three princes dispatched the 14th of August deliver news personally Prince Tsuneyoshi Takeda Korea Manchuria Prince Yasuhiko Asaka China Expeditionary Army China Fleet Prince Kan'in Haruhito Shanghai South China Indochina Singapore. Text finalized 19:the 0th of August 14 transmitted orders embassies Switzerland Sweden accept Allied terms picked received Washington 02:the 49th of August 14. Formal surrender ceremony held September 2 aboard USS Missouri battleship officials Japanese government signed Instrument of Surrender ending hostilities Allies. Allied civilians military personnel celebrated V-J Day end war Pacific though isolated soldiers personnel Japan forces scattered Asia Pacific refused surrender months years afterwards some into 1970s. State war formally ended Treaty San Francisco came force the 28th of April 1952 four years later Japan Soviet Union signed Soviet-Japanese Joint Declaration 1956 formally ending state war. By July 1945 Imperial Japanese Navy incapable conducting major operations Allied invasion Japan imminent.
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Common questions
When did the Imperial Japanese Navy cease to be an effective fighting force?
The Imperial Japanese Navy ceased to be an effective fighting force by July 1945. Only six aircraft carriers, four cruisers, and one battleship remained in somewhat working order at naval bases like Kure.
Who directed the Manhattan Project during World War II?
Major General Leslie R. Groves Jr. directed the Manhattan Project. The project employed hundreds of thousands of American workers at dozens of secret facilities across the United States starting from 1942.
What were the terms of the Potsdam Declaration released on the 26th of July 1945?
The Potsdam Declaration announced terms for Japan's surrender stating there were no alternatives if Japan did not comply. It specified elimination of authority of those who misled people into world conquest and occupation of points designated by Allies.
On what date was the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima?
The Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb code-named Little Boy on Hiroshima on the 6th of August 1945 at 8:15 am local time. Confused reports reached Tokyo that Hiroshima had been leveled with a blinding flash and violent blast.
When did Emperor Hirohito make his gramophone record reading text Imperial Rescript on surrender?
Emperor Hirohito made the gramophone record around 23:the 0th of August 14. Three princes dispatched the 14th of August deliver news personally to Korea, Manchuria, China Expeditionary Army, and other regions.