| bazmeistergen said:
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Right. The Japanese did not want to surrender unconditionally because it would have led to the removal of the Emperor from power and his possible indictment in war crimes tribunal. The same applied to all high ranking military leaders in the country. They had hoped to prolong the war long enough to force an armistice with the Allies (Operation Ketsugo). They even anticipated the invasion course the Americans would take and were planning countermeasures. Their predicitons were very close to what was laid out in Operation Downfall.
In any event it was necessary for the Allies to demand unconditional surrender. They had demanded it of Germany. So why not Japan? Since the Meiji Restoration Japan had become an Imperial player hellbent on expansion. Why take the risk of giving them a second chance? That was the lesson learned during WWI. The armistice resolved nothing in the long run and Germany went on to invade Austria in spite of the treaties. Then when they invaded Poland the Second World War began. Japan could have just as easily tried to pull the same thing with Korea and China.
Moreover, Japan were the aggressors. Their unprovoked attack of Pearl Harbor demonstrated they were not to be trusted.
The Japanese would not have surrendered anytime soon had the Hiroshima bomb not been dropped. An abrupt end to the war was best for everyone.
