Emperor Hirohito Radio Address on August 15, 1945

After Hirohito radio address

The following is a translation of Emperor Hirohito’s radio address from August 15, 1945 accepting the Allies terms of surrender. The language that he spoke in was very difficult for common Japanese people to understand. Emperor Hirohito had an imperial dialect that was confusing for many. To our good and loyal subjects: After pondering deeply

Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto

Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto

Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto was the key strategist of the attack on Pearl Harbour. Although he had serious reservations about a war with the United States, as Admiral he had a responsibility.  The air raid of Pearl Harbour was his idea. The Pearl Harbour attack was considered tactically brilliant, while at the same time strategically foolish. The strategy

Chuichi Nagumo, Vice Admiral IJN

Chuichi Nagumo

Despite the fact that he was opposed to the attack on Pearl harbour, Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo was in command of the carrier-centered Mobile Force (Kido Butai). The task force was made up of 6 carriers, 2 battleships, 3 cruisers, and 9 destroyers. His forces were split into three carrier commands: Nagumo: carriers Akagi and

Mitsuo Fuchida, Japanese Commander at Pearl Harbour

Mitsuo Fuchida

Commander Mitsuo Fuchida led the first wave of the attack on Pearl Harbour. He was the pilot who famously sent the signal Tora, Tora, Tora, the code words that they had achieved complete surprise. As a child during the victory over Russia, Commander Mitsuo Fuchida developed strong aspirations to be in the Japanese Navy. He entered the

Emperor Hirohito

Emperor Hirohito

On Christmas Day 1926 Prince Hirohito became Emperor of Japan. He was 25 years old and reigned as the 124th Emperor. Hirohito chose the name “Showa”, meaning “enlightened peace”, to be remembered by. He was considered a pacifist, however, at the same time he encouraged the role of the Japanese military. In an important meeting