Was Hirohito a good Japanese Emperor?

Emperor Hirohito (also called Showa Emperor) is a controversial figure among scholars of Japanese history and scholars of World War II. read more

Emperor Hirohito (also called Showa Emperor) is a controversial figure among scholars of Japanese history and scholars of World War II. On one hand, many view him as an indecisive, tremulous figurehead who did nothing to stop the Japanese military's swift takeover of the country. read more

Japanese Emperor. On December 25, 1926, following the death of his father, Hirohito succeeded him as emperor, taking the 124th Chrysanthemum Throne. He was given the title "Showa" ("Enlightened Peace"), and was formally known as Showa Tenno. Shortly after Hirohito's induction as emperor, Japan found itself in a state of unrest. read more

The view promoted by both the Japanese Imperial Palace and the American occupation forces immediately after World War II portrayed Emperor Hirohito as a powerless figurehead behaving strictly according to protocol, while remaining at a distance from the decision-making processes. read more