Emperor Hirohito

The war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan's advantage, while the general trends of the world have all turned against her interest.

Moreover, the enemy has begun to employ a new and most cruel bomb, the power of which to do damage is, indeed, incalculable, taking the toll of many innocent lives. Should we continue to fight, not only would it result in an ultimate collapse and obliteration of the Japanese nation, but also it would lead to the total extinction of human civilization.

We therefore wish to inform you all that today, We have commanded the Imperial Government to communicate to the governments of the United States, Great Britain, China, and the Soviet Union that the Empire accepts the terms of their Joint Declaration.

I swallow my tears and give my sanction to the proposal to accept the Allied proclamation on the basis outlined by the Foreign Minister.

I have been told about my war responsibility and did not see any point in living longer because it would only increase my chances of seeing or hearing things that are agonizing.

Indeed, we declared war on America and Britain out of our sincere desire to ensure Japan's self-preservation and the stabilization of East Asia, it being far from our thought either to infringe upon the sovereignty of other nations or to embark upon territorial aggrandizement.

If the war were to begin while a member of the imperial house was prime minister, the imperial house would have to carry the responsibility and he was opposed to this.

Later in his life, Hirohito looked back on his decision to give the go-ahead to wage a 'defensive' war against China and opined that his foremost priority was not to wage war with China but to prepare for a war with the Soviet Union, as his army had reassured him that the China war would end within three months, but that decision of his had haunted him since he forgot that the Japanese forces in China were drastically fewer than that of the Chinese, hence the shortsightedness of his perspective was evident.

In 1971, Emperor Hirohito expressed that there were parts of the war that he felt 'personally sorry for.'

The peace and prosperity of the world depend upon the leadership of Japan.

It is unbearable for me to see my people suffer further. The time has come to bear the unbearable.

The conduct of the war was in accordance with the decisions taken by the Supreme War Leadership. I merely sanctioned them.

I am not a god, but a mortal man. The belief that the Emperor is divine is a false conception.

The Imperial Army is the Emperor's army. It must be prepared to sacrifice itself for the Emperor and the nation.

It is regrettable that the war has caused such suffering to my people and to the peoples of the world.

I deeply regret that I could not prevent the war.

The idea of a 'holy war' is a dangerous one, as it can lead to endless conflict.

The responsibility for the war lies with the military leaders, not with me.

I wish to see Japan recover and become a peaceful nation.

The path to peace is long and arduous, but we must persevere.