If you look at any history books, when defining the major historical event of Japan's surrender in World War II, three words "unconditional" surrender will appear. People with a heart will wonder why surrender is unconditional surrender. Taken literally, it is said that Japan has been defeated, and it is naturally impossible to put forward any additional conditions for the so-called success of the king and the defeat of the Kou.
Specifically, the unconditional surrender of a State requires the satisfaction of two characteristics: first, the unconditional surrender of the armed forces to the belligerent, that is, the unconditional cessation of resistance by an army of the belligerent party to the perceived enemy and the transfer of the soldiers, warships, fortresses or areas under its jurisdiction to the control of the latter;
On closer inspection, Japan's surrender seems to satisfy the above two points. In fact, everyone was blinded by this proposal, Japan did not surrender unconditionally, but "conditionally" surrendered, and the biggest condition put forward was that the Allies, especially the United States, would promise Japan to retain the imperial system, or not to punish Emperor Hirohito.
On September 2, 1945, the Japanese government sent a delegation (11 people) to board the USS Missouri moored in Tokyo Bay, signed at 9 o'clock on the same day, and Japan formally surrendered unconditionally. At first glance, there is no problem with japan's proposal, but in fact, we all ignore a problem. Why did Japan surrender?
Some people say that this is because the United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan, causing hundreds of thousands of people in Japan to be wiped out and causing panic in the Japanese government. The problem is that the accepted argument regarding the impact of the atomic bombing on Japan's surrender was that it "greatly accelerated the pace of Japan's surrender." ”
Therefore, the atomic bomb explosion was not the fundamental reason for Japan's surrender, and the real reason for Japan's surrender was the Participation of the Soviet Union in the war, which caused the Japanese mainland to face a situation of east-west attack, and finally could only surrender. After reviewing the information, it was found that as early as August 9, 1945, emperor Hirohito had revealed that he wanted to surrender Japan in exchange for retaining the imperial system and thus saving himself from war trial.
On August 10, the Japanese government, through the recall of China, the United States, the Soviet Union, and The United Kingdom, through switzerland, which was then neutral, agreed to accept the Potsdam Proclamation, but with one condition, "The above-mentioned proclamation does not contain any demand that undermines the right of His Majesty the Emperor to be the supreme ruler." After receiving the note from Japan, the United States responded as quickly as possible. In fact, Japan also has a back hand, and if the United States does not agree, then it will implement the "100 million national jade fragments" plan, that is, the death battle will not fall.
In its reply, the Truman administration wrote: "From the moment of surrender, the power of the Japanese Emperor and the Japanese Government to rule the country is subject to the orders of the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers in order to take the steps he deems appropriate to implement the terms of surrender." As for the final form of the Japanese government, it will be determined in accordance with the Potsdam Proclamation and according to the freely expressed will of the Japanese people. ”
What does it mean? Whether to retain the imperial system depends on the Japanese people? It should be known that the emperor had a high status in the minds of the Japanese at that time, such as when Hirohito announced his surrender, countless people knelt on their knees and wept bitterly. Such a reply from the United States leaves room for the eventual preservation of the imperial system.
Emperor Hirohito was Japan's biggest war criminal in World War II, but he escaped trial. In fact, when Japan announced its surrender, the United States had already decided to keep the emperor. In a secret telegram to Truman, MacArthur wrote: "I believe that if Emperor Hirohito is executed in public trial, it will completely collapse the pillars of faith of the entire Japanese nation, and even cause frenzied riots and riots against the Allies throughout Japan." ”
Reference: "Revealing Japan's Unconditional Surrender"