In the emperor’s later words, this affirmation of the ideals of the Charter Oath was the “primary object” of his declaration, and the issue of divinity only a “secondary matter.” His emphasis was not only endorsed but made stronger by MacArthur. As Hirohito told the story, it was his intention simply to begin the rescript by alluding to the oath, which was familiar to all educated Japanese. When MacArthur was shown a draft to this effect, however, Hirohito was informed that the general had not only praised the Meiji emperor (fourteen years old when the oath was promulgated) for “having done
...more
