In the pause between Nagasaki and the surrender, we were losing 7000 men a week! Further delay for a blockade was unconscionable, and that was with two cities destroyed by atomic weapons. To be fair, I doubt JC cared about Jap casualties, the problem with a blockade was our casualties, including those of the POWs with no end in sight. The invasion was planned for Nov45, further plans for Homshu in Mar46. The expected friendly casualties are well documented and with every civilian a combatant the bloodletting would have harden the sides and made a peace difficult when we prevailed.
“To be fair, I doubt JC cared about Jap casualties”
Do you like putting words in my mouth?