[who_would_fardels_bear]

The Japanese military may have been indirectly responsible for all of the deaths in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. There are reports that the Emperor wanted to surrender, but was threatened with a coup by the military if he did.

They only relented, and hesitantly at that, after the dropping of the A-Bombs.

[lapsus calami]

 

 

A coup was baked into the Japanese constitution, that in the event of a national emergency - the definition of which was rather vague - the military would step in and assume complete control of the nation, with civilian authorities - emperor included - relegated to the position of observers with very little input. After decades of trying the military complex finally succeeded and ran wild with ambition.

 

There are reports that the Emperor wanted to surrender, but was threatened with a coup by the military if he did.

 

Members of the emperor's family had to travel around in person to quell the rebellious military. In one situation, commanders had collected a mass of planes for a kamikaze attack to commence when the US Navy entered Tokyo Bay for the surrender ceremony. The emperor's son and his entourage had to personally seize control of that situation and stand it down. Once the civilian authorities managed to assert themselves and re-assume control of the country did organized resistance finally cease for good.