[nickcarraway]

There was never going to be an invasion. Japan was always going to have to surrender on August 9th, the last day Russia had to declare war. I suppose if Japan had people Russia back that night, it could have drawn out, but what were chances of that, at that point?

Japan was never going to allow the chance of being under Russian control, when they could opt for U.S. control.

[dfwgator]

Tojo wanted to try to assassinate Hirohito to prevent him from going on the radio and asking the Japanese people to accept surrender.

Things could have turned out much, much different if that had happened.

[ealgeone]

You can’t with 100% certainty say that.