The communication concluded: “If today, when we are still maintaining our strength, the Anglo-Americans were to have regard for Japan’s honor and existence, they could save humanity by bringing the war to an end. If, however, they insist unrelentingly upon unconditional surrender, the Japanese are unanimous in their resolve to wage a thorough-going war.” By “Japan’s honor and existence,” the communication clearly referred to the emperor. If the emperor was permitted to remain in power, the Japanese would bring “the war to an end.” If not, the Japanese would continue to kill and be killed. This
...more
