Hirohito wife

Emperor Hirohito and Japan's Role in World War II

If Hirohito was so involved, how did he avoid prosecution for war crimes? That was largely thanks to General Douglas MacArthur, who was appointed Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP) in September, 1945, during the United States-led Allied Occupation of Japan.

MacArthur's job was to help stabilize the country, and one of his first actions was to decide whether Hirohito should be tried as a war criminal.

Avoiding War Crime Charges

Although there were arguments on both sides, MacArthur decided he should not be charged and tried. Japan would be ungovernable, he reasoned, if the Allies prosecuted the citizens' emperor and spiritual leader.

"It was extremely important for the Americans to develop a positive relationship with Japan in the post-war period," says Culver. "If Hirohito went to trial, there was a concern this would lead to divisions in Japan, and the re-emergence of leftists and communism."

In addition, it was in the best interests of the U.S. if Japan was transformed into a democratic bulwa

Hideki Tojo

Japanese general and statesman (1884–1948)

The native form of this personal name is Tōjō Hideki. This article uses Western name order when mentioning individuals.

Junior Second Rank

Hideki Tojo

Tojo in 1941

In office
18 October 1941 – 22 July 1944
MonarchShōwa
Preceded byFumimaro Konoe
Succeeded byKuniaki Koiso
In office
22 July 1940 – 22 July 1944
Prime Minister
Preceded byShunroku Hata
Succeeded byHajime Sugiyama
In office
21 February 1944 – 18 July 1944
Prime MinisterHimself
Preceded byHajime Sugiyama
Succeeded byYoshijirō Umezu
Born(1884-12-30)30 December 1884
Kōjimachi, Tokyo, Japan
Died23 December 1948(1948-12-23) (aged 63)
Sugamo Prison, Tokyo, Japan[a]
Cause of deathExecution by hanging
Political partyImperial Rule Assistance Association (1940–1945)
Other political
affiliations
Independent (before 1940)
Spouse

Katsuko Ito

(m. 1909)​
Children7
RelativesYuk

Hirohito

Emperor of Japan from 1926 to 1989

This article is about the emperor of Japan. For other uses, see Hirohito (disambiguation).

Formal portrait, 1935

Reign25 December 1926 – 7 January 1989
Enthronement10 November 1928
PredecessorTaishō
SuccessorAkihito
Regency25 November 1921 – 25 December 1926
MonarchTaishō
BornHirohito, Prince Michi
(迪宮裕仁親王)
(1901-04-29)29 April 1901
Tōgū Palace, Aoyama, Tokyo, Japan
Died7 January 1989(1989-01-07) (aged 87)
Fukiage Palace, Tokyo, Japan
Burial24 February 1989

Musashi Imperial Graveyard, Hachiōji

Spouse
Issue
Shōwa: 
25 December 1926 – 7 January 1989
Tsuigō:
Emperor Shōwa (昭和天皇)
HouseImperial House of Japan
FatherEmperor Taishō
MotherSadako Kujō
ReligionShinto
Signature

Hirohito[a] (29 April 1901 – 7 January 1989), posthumously honored as Emperor Shōwa,[b] was the 124th emperor of Japan according to the traditional order of succession, from 25 December 1926 until his death in 1989.

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