From history books, we know Emperor Hirohito was never considered to be hanged. In fact, the Empire of Japan requested that Emperor Hirohito stayed at his post and the Allies agreed to that.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge" ALBERT EINSTEIN
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It's based on a true story, read Bonner Fellers book and google MacArthur and WWII history.
shareThank you vedder99 for affirming that this film's premise was true. I found it very moving at the end and a lovely example of forgiveness and acceptance coming forth from such a great conflict and the resulting peace. I would hate to think I shed tears in vain. As a woman, I found the beginning somewhat slow and boring but so glad I stayed till the end.
sharethe Empire of Japan requested that Emperor Hirohito stayed at his post and the Allies agreed to that.
I'm led to believe this is what happens. The movie just tells what happens in the background (decisions, events etc.) that will come to this conclusion .
The Allies didn't have to agree to the Japanese request. The Americans could have done to Japan what Japan did to China during the war. The whole point of the film is to examine why they didn't.
share"His indictment will unquestionably cause a tremendous convulsion among the Japanese people, the repercussions of which cannot be overestimated. He is a symbol which unites all Japanese. Destroy him and the nation will disintegrate...It is quite possible that a million troops would be required which would have to be maintained for an indefinite number of years."
-Douglas MaCarthur, in a memorandum to Washington concerning the disposition of Emperor Hirohito
Some months before the end of the war, MaCarthur had already made up his mind about Hirohito..."Unlike Christians, the Japanese have no God with whom to commune. It would be sacrilege to entertain the idea that the Emperor is on a level with the people or any government official. To try him as a war criminal would not only be blasphemous but a denial of spiritual freedom."
Another American official wrote, "Hanging of the Emperor to them would be comparable to the crucifxion of Christ to us"
MaCarthur concurred, writing "You cannot remove their Emperor worship from these people by killing the Emperor...any more than you remove the godhead of Jesus and have any Christianity left."
---Pages 448-449, Flyboys, James Bradley 2003
[spoiler] The movie has the Japanese official relate the story of the Emperor making the recording that tells the Japanese people to surrender. He further relates that the factions not wanting to surrender attacked the palace to take the recording and possibly even kill the emperor.
I do not believe that the Americans would have been unaware that the emperor had this recording played to the Japanese people. The movie had it as quite a revelation. It's conceivable the Allies wouldn't have known about the attack on the palace, but I doubt that too. I am putting all that down to the need to add dramatic effect. I am more ready to accept that they decided to investigate whether or not the emperor should be put on trial. The American public had been fed propaganda about Hirohito.
> I do not believe that the Americans would have been unaware that the
> emperor had this recording played
It seemed obvious in the movie they were completely aware of the recording. They were not aware of the attempted coup and that was the surprise. (Also a few other details, but not the recording itself.) Most people still don't know about it, most likely and it was certainly kept under wraps for years.
There were a few details of the failed plot that the movie skipped - they're interesting, but not really important. (For example, that a blackout in Tokyo had hampered the plotters' ability to move and coordinate - a blackout called due to a wayward B-29 approaching the city.)
-Wm
> the Empire of Japan requested that Emperor Hirohito stayed at his post and the Allies agreed to that.
They only agreed that the people of Japan could choose whatever government they wanted eventually, and that could include an Emperor. Retaining Hirohito was not a given. -Wm