The 62-year reign of Emperor Hirohito was the longest period of Japanese emperor rule in history, and it was also a period that experienced several major turmoils and changes.
There are many controversies about Emperor Showa. Some people think that he was the culprit for Japan's launch of World War II, while others think that he was just a puppet of the military and had no real power. But it is undeniable that he turned a blind eye to the growing strength of the military, and he had the power to punish soldiers who did not obey instructions, but he did not do it, but was optimistic about the success.
Hirohito has a famous saying: "The problem is not what we have done, but how the world reacts to what we have done." This means that what he cares about most is his own reputation and responsibility.
After Japan surrendered, the Soviet Union, China, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and other countries all listed Hirohito as Japan’s number one war criminal. British Prime Minister Attlee and Soviet Commander Stalin respectively called MacArthur, demanding severe punishment for the war criminal Emperor Hirohito, and suggested that he be hanged after a public trial.
MacArthur considered that in order to support allies in the Cold War with the Soviet Union in the Far East, a Japan that was in chaos due to the trial and execution of the emperor was not conducive to the interests of the United States, and the emperor system could unite Japan's conservative anti-Japanese Therefore, MacArthur himself supported the abandonment of holding the Emperor responsible for the war, and sent an urgent telegram to the then U.S. President Truman: The Japanese people...have respected the Emperor of Japan with utmost respect for more than a hundred years. During the Pacific War, a few militarists used this as a fanatical means to incite nationalism and called for self-sacrifice for the emperor. After the war, the Japanese people's worship of Emperor Hirohito continued unabated and they regarded him as a national god. I believe that if Emperor Hirohito is put on trial and executed, it will completely collapse the pillars of national faith in Japan, and even cause crazy riots and riots against the allies throughout Japan. The execution of Hirohito is unacceptable to the whole country of Japan. Our future of rebuilding and transforming Japan is unimaginable, and the result may be a historical tragedy.
Therefore, as the plenipotentiary representative of the Allied Powers in Japan, and out of consideration for the future destiny of Japan, I have decided to exempt Emperor Hirohito from prosecution for war responsibility.
If the Allies decide to arrest and execute the Emperor as a war criminal, the Allied Command in Japan will need to reinforce 1 million combat troops...
Washington quickly called back and agreed with MacArthur's opinion, so MacArthur issued the First Order of the Allied General Headquarters: Out of consideration for Japan's future and national beliefs, the Allies decided not to hold Japanese Emperor Hirohito accountable for launching the war, and not to prosecute or arrest him. From now on, Hirohito's personal status and personal freedom should be protected by the Constitution in the same way as other Japanese nationals.