What did Japanese emperor Hirohito say about the atomic bombs?

On the evening of Aug. 8, Emperor Hirohito judged it had “become impossible to continue the war” and expressed his hope to “conclude the war as swiftly as possible,” the record said. But the Soviet Union declared war on Japan on Aug. read more

(From Emperor Hirohito's Surrender Rescript to Japanese Troops) The surrender rescript makes no mention, direct or indirect, to the atomic bombs, but instead cites the entry of the Soviet Union into the war as the cause for surrender. read more

Emperor Hirohito received his first report on the U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima from the Imperial Japanese Army about half a day after the blast on Aug. read more