Hirohito Biography

Birth of Hirohito

Appointed Regent, due to fathers illnes

A 9 power Treaty bans unilateral action against China & guarantees trade in Manchuria

Marries Princess Nagako

Japan evacuates North Sakhalin

Diplomatic relationa are restored with Russia as Japan withdraws from north Sakhalin

Succeeds as Emperor of Japan, ascends the chrysanthemum throne as a god. Succeeds as Emperor of Japan, 124th Emperor of Japan

Japan defeats the Guomindang at Jinan & occupies the Shandong Peninsular

Japan defeats the Guomindang at Jinan & occupies the Shandong Peninsular

Officially enthroned at the Imperial Palace

The Navy appeals to the Emperor but the Treaty is ratified in the Diet

Japan defeats China at the 1st Battle of Shanghai & China ends its boycott

Japan renounces the Washington Treaty of 1922 which had laid down naval ratios

The Anti-Comintern Pact was an anti-communist pact concluded between Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan (later to be joined by other, mainly fascist, Governments) on November 25, 1936 and was directed against the 3rd (Communist) International

Japan withdraws from the London Naval Conference in order to build without restriction

To "combat the subversive activities" of the Comintern. A Japanese-German Convention is signed in Berlin

To "combat the subversive activities" of the Comintern

Japan suffers a major defeat by the Russians on the Manchurian frontier

Japan captures the Chinese controlled island of Hainan

Japan renounces the Anti-Comintern Pact with Germany

Japan renounces the Anti-Comintern Pact with Germany

The Changkufeng & Nomonhan incidents with Russia are settled

The Changkufeng & Nomonhan incidents with Russia are settled

The Changkufeng & Nomonhan incidents with Russia are settled

Thailand is forced to become an ally of Japan

Japan captures Indo, with the agreement of the Vichy Government

The US applies sanctions against Japan for closing the "Open Door" policy in Asia

After the fall of France Japan stations troops north Indo

Japan agrees peace with Russia in Berlin, after joining the Tripartite Pact

Japan makes an alliance with Russia & Germany

Japan captures Indo, with the agreement of the Vichy Government

Japan & Russia sign a neutrality pact

Japan & Russia sign a neutrality pact

Britain, Australia & the USA declare war on Japan

The USA captures Saipan & can bomb Japanese cities

Members of Hirohitos family secretly agree he should abdicate in favour of Akihito

Tojo is forced to resign by Hirohito who makes him a scapegoat for the war

Hirohito receives reports as Imperial General Headquarters commits major Japanese naval forces to the Sho-1 operation around Leyte.

Hitler asks Japan to attack Russia, Japan agrees if Germany subdues Russia

Ceases claming to be a god

The US freezes all Japanese assets in the US. Negotiations to settle the difference between Japan & the US breakdown. Japan keeps its neutrality with Russia

Hitler asks Japan to attack Russia, Japan agrees if Germany subdues Russia

Japan keeps its neutrality with Russia

Formosa is returned to China

Manchuria is returned to China

The USA bombs Tokyo, 200,000 are killed

After 3 months fighting 110,000 Japanese soldiers & 150,000 civilians died

Decides because the navy & army will fight at Okinawa it is not a good time for peace

2 million have been made homeless in Tokyo

The US & Britain & Nationalist China threaten Japan with "prompt & utter destruction". The US, Britain & Nationalist China calls for unconditional Japanese surrender. Japan ignores the request for uncondional surrender, unaware of the US the atomic bomb

Russia declares war on Japan

The USA drops a plutonium bomb on Hiroshima. More than 10 sqr miles are obliterated & 137,000 killed

The USA drops the atomic bomb on Nagasaki, over 73,000 are killed

Hirohito announces his decision to accept the Allied terms, breaking the continuing deadlock within Japan's leadership.

The emperor publicly announces Japan's decision to surrender.

Hirohito announces the surrender of Japan

Hirohito broadcasts a radio message telling the people that Japan will surrender

The imperial broadcast informs the Japanese population that the war will end through surrender.

Hirohito broadcasts a radio message telling the people that Japan will surrender

Japanese military commands receive imperial authority to cease fighting and surrender.

Issues an Imperial Order directing Japanese forces to surrender

Japanese representatives receive the detailed Allied procedures for implementing surrender.

Japanese emissaries receive terms for Japans surrender from the US

The formal ceremony aboard USS Missouri legally records Japan's capitulation.

Japan formally surrenders aboard the USS Missouri

Japan accepts Allied authority and ends national military resistance.

Japan surrenders to the Allies

The Emperor is proclaimed "symbol of the state and of the unity of the people"

Issues an Imperial Rescript rejecting Japanese racial superiority. Issues an Imperial Rescript denying his divinity

Under the constitution sovereignty rests in the people, not the Emperor. The new constitution renounces war & abolishes the divinity of the Emperor

Death of Hirohito

Death of Emperor Hirohito