Hirohito

Who was Hirohito?

Hirohito was the longest living ruler in modern history – he served as the emperor of Japan for nearly 63 years. By ascending the ‘Chrysanthemum Throne’ following his father’s death, he became the 124th emperor of Japan at a time when Japan was undergoing financial crisis and when military power was on the rise within the government. Though he never openly supported the hideous actions of the overpowering military, he never legally opposed their actions as well, making his involvement in the matter highly debatable. By entering a treaty with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, he was successful in invading and seizing numerous regions in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, including Dutch East Indies, New Guinea, Philippines, and British Singapore. He was also successful in launching a surprise bombing on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor. However, the Americans retaliated and defeated the Japanese troops by dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He became a popular national symbol after the war. He administered a democratic rule, making public appearances and permitting photos and stories of the royal family to be published in newspapers and magazines. He also made efforts to resurrect Japan after the war and helped rebuild Japan, turning it into the world’s second largest economy. He also helped establish political stability in the country.

Accession & Reign

Upon his return from Europe on November 1921, he was made the Regent of Japan and took over the duties of the emperor, due to his father’s chronic illness.

He was crowned as the Japanese emperor following his father’s death in 1926. His coronation brought about a new reign called ‘Showa’ (Enlightened Peace), while he formally came to be known as ‘Showa Tenno.’

He was formally crowned at the enthronement ceremony on November 1928.

At the time of his coronation, Japan was struggling with financial crisis, while the influence of military was on the rise.

The increasing Japanese conflicts with China led to the invasion of Manchuria in 1931. The invasion was achieved by exploding a railway station and bringing it under Japanese control. Subsequently, a puppet state was established in Manchuria.

He survived an assassination attempt in 1932 in Tokyo. The attempt was made by a Korean independence activist named Lee Bong-chang.

The same year, Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi was killed which marked the end of civilian control over the military.

The assassination of the prime minister was followed by an attempted military coup on February 1936, commonly known as 'the February 26 incident.' It resulted in the killing of a number of high government and army officials.

The continuous attacks and seizure of many Chinese areas by the Japanese army led to the ‘Second Sino-Japanese War’ in 1937. The war resulted in the killing of millions of civilians and prisoners of war.

On September 1940, he entered into an agreement with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy through the ‘Tripartite Pact,’ following which he sent his troops to capture French Indochina the same month.

When his government decided to battle the United States in 1941, he didn’t oppose. As a result, the Japanese forces bombarded the US fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and destroyed 18 ships, killing around 2,500 men.

Soon after, he ordered the bombardment of Pearl Harbor in 1941. Japan succeeded in occupying Dutch East Indies, New Guinea, Philippines, British Singapore, and other areas in Southeast Asia and the Pacific until June 1942.

With the ‘Battle of Midway’ on June 1942, the war tilted in favor of the Americans as they landed at Guadalcanal and Tulagi.

Though he made several efforts to stop the American forces from furthering their territory, it was clear by mid-1944 that the Japanese were nearing defeat.

Fearing that his subjects would be imprisoned, he encouraged them to commit suicide during the ‘Battle of Saipan.’ Obeying his command, nearly 1,000 Japanese jumped off Suicide Cliff and Banzai Cliff.

On August 1945, the United States of America dropped atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The emperor announced the capitulation of Japanese military forces through a radio broadcast on August 15, 1945.

In 1946, he addressed his subjects through a second broadcast, announcing his repudiation of imperial divinity. He also took measures to change his public image since he was looked upon as a war criminal with people demanding his trial.

He then started focusing on his childhood love for marine biology, authoring several books on the subject.