With so many opposing posts above,i doubt you’ll read this one - but I’ll write this anyway.
Your profile says you’re a priest.
Consider how God directed Israel to handle those who attacked Israel: not accept the first suggestion of surrender, but to DESTROY them utterly to the last child. “Nice” outcomes involved enslaving the survivors. Returning to the status quo wasn’t an option.
In the most generous allowance of the article’s premise, at best Japan wanted to return to the status quo. Having initiated the war, killed millions, caused $billions in damage, they just wanted to stop the conflict and resume the prior peace while retaining and rebuilding the ability to start similar wars again. Japan had a long history of military aggression, and (having stirred a greater enemy than expected) intended to continue such long established ways.
America would not tolerate an end where that long history of aggression would continue. America wanted the war to not just halt, but to END Japan’s aggressive tendencies. We didn’t just want to pause the hostilities, but like Israel proceed to END the enemy’s ability & will to wage war.
It’s one thing to stop fighting a bully because he wants to stop.
It’s another to stop such that he repents his bullying ways.
Israel was a theocracy and God’s chosen people.
No one else receives direct orders from God. All other people and nations must follow the Commandments.