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.
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.
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)
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.
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. ...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Show of Hands
Comments: Add Comment