今上天皇The Japanese kanji ideograph above means: “The

Reigning Emperor”“Across the four seas, all are brothers.

In such a world why do the waves rage, the winds roar?”

The above haiku poem was recited to his generals who were encouraging military action, and he repeated it to them over and over again as leader of the Shinto religion

Hirohito’s Pre-War Demands

Continued conquest of China and SE Asia

No increased U.S./British Forces in the Region

Western aid to the Japanese Empire for the acquisition of needed goods.

Hirohito’s Reaction to the Atomic Bomb

• Hiroshima bombed: • Aug. 6, 1945

• Nagasaki bombed: • Aug. 9, 1945

• One day before the bombing of Nagasaki the Emperor wanted:

• “…to ensure a prompt end to hostilities.”