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skinner June 30th, 2013 7:26pm

In April of 1945 a new Japanese government headed by Kantaro Suzuki took office with the mission of ending the war. They sent feelers before Hiroshima to the US and created a peace treaty nearly identical to the one signed, the US rejected it.

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Jungle in the dog house
06/30/13 5:46 pm

Outside of the fact that the Japanese military command was refusing any kind of piece, the government feelers were nothing like the surrender signed which was unconditional. The Japanese wanted conditions, such as keeping their military intact, etc.

skinner Jersey City
07/01/13 6:20 am

That was not a condition. There were two conditions
1. Japan would not be annexed by the US, which given our history was a legitimate fear.
2. They could keep their emperor (which they did in the actual treaty anyways)

bMyComrade Beantown
06/30/13 1:56 pm

This is the only place I have ever seen this. I have however found many references to Suzuki being jeered for suggesting peace and the assassination attempts against him. As well as reference to his own comments which seem to suggest different.

bMyComrade Beantown
06/30/13 1:58 pm

Such as this statement to one of his cabinet member regarding the Potsdam Declaration: "for the enemy to say something like that means circumstances have arisen that force them also to end the war. ...

bMyComrade Beantown
06/30/13 1:59 pm

... That is why they are talking about unconditional surrender. Precisely at a time like this, if we hold firm, then they will yield before we do"

fredd TrumpLand
06/30/13 2:04 pm

Bmycomrade takes the victory here I think.

skinner Jersey City
06/30/13 2:06 pm

I don't understand Comrade's point.

bMyComrade Beantown
06/30/13 2:16 pm

That even if he was giving overtures of peace, it was not a popular or well supported idea in Japan, as evidenced by the jeering crowds and assassination attempts from the army faction of the government.

bMyComrade Beantown
06/30/13 2:16 pm

But his own dedication to peace is questionable based on his own comments, such as the one I posted.

fredd TrumpLand
06/30/13 2:18 pm

Check out comrade's comment further down. If he has no control over the military, the proposed peace treaty is simply a waste of paper.

skinner Jersey City
06/30/13 2:22 pm

Japan is based off order, they would listen to their government, even if they didn't it is worth the try.

maltz earth
06/30/13 1:45 pm

The US also rejected a treaty with Germany...it seems this country doesn't understand the concept of peace

JollyMan93 Big Sky Guy
06/30/13 1:24 pm

This question can't be correct. The U.S. tried and tried peace talks with the japs. before we sent a nuke off. They wouldn't cooperate

skinner Jersey City
06/30/13 1:55 pm

It is correct, we demanded unconditional surrender. In this treaty they asked to not be annexed by the United States, as we had done with other countries in the past.

Keldeo Laverre City
06/30/13 1:24 pm

Based on the information given, bad decision. But we wouldn't make the choice we did without very good reasons, so I'll bet it was the right thing to do.

JollyMan93 Big Sky Guy
06/30/13 1:25 pm

We warned and tried peace talks. The Japanese had a choice and made it

skinner Jersey City
06/30/13 1:57 pm

Both: you're being a bit naive the government had alternative motives, they wanted unconditional surrender and an opportunity to test their WMD to shock the Soviets.

bMyComrade Beantown
06/30/13 12:50 pm

He did not have complete control of the gov., so to call him the end is misleading. The military faction had a very strong hold and in fact attempted to assassinated him at least twice. He was once jeered off a stage for suggesting Japan surrender.

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skinner Jersey City
06/30/13 2:24 pm

You honestly believe he could even send feelers without the emperors approval?

bMyComrade Beantown
06/30/13 2:36 pm

Even the emperor did not have a solid hold on power. He was pushed into a figurehead position by the generals for much of the war.

skinner Jersey City
06/30/13 2:56 pm

If he had that little power how could he authorize the feelers

skinner Jersey City
06/30/13 2:57 pm

I think your making assumptions as to the opinions of the ruling elite

bMyComrade Beantown
06/30/13 12:45 pm

Source please.

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skinner Jersey City
06/30/13 1:54 pm

I will post it at the top because of show of hands glitches