So-called “American imperialism” has kept the peace in Northeast Asia for half a century. And the foundation of regional prosperity was laid when America dropped two atomic bombs in 1945, forcing Japan to surrender. On 15 August 1945 the Japanese people heard the Emperor’s voice on the radio, for the first time. “To Our good and loyal subjects,” Hirohito began. “After pondering deeply the general trends of the world and the actual conditions obtaining to Our Empire today, We have decided to effect a settlement of the present situation by resorting to an extraordinary measure.”
The “extraordinary measure” was surrender. According to Emperor Hirohito, “To strive for the common prosperity and happiness of all nations as well as the security and well-being of Our Subjects is the solemn obligation which has been handed down by Our Imperial Ancestors, and which we lay close to heart. Indeed, We declared war on America and Britain out of Our sincere desire to ensure Japan’s self-preservation and the stabilization of East Asia, it being far from Our thought either to infringe upon the sovereignty of other nations or to embark upon territorial aggrandizement.”
The war initiated by Japan, first by invading China, then by declaring war on the United States and Great Britain, resulted in more than 24 million deaths in allied countries – 23.8 million of them being Chinese. The loss of life to other countries included: 106,000 Americans; 86,000 Indians; 57,000 Philippinos; 52,000 British; 17,000 Australians; and 12,000 Soviets. The logic of invading and declaring war on so many countries had to do with securing resources for Japan’s economic self-sufficiency.
As the Emperor explained, it was merely incidental that Japanese self-preservation and self-sufficiency required the killing of more than 24 million foreigners. It was this unfortunate byproduct of Tokyo’s policy that unleashed “American imperialism.”
On 8 December, 1941, before a joint session of Congress, President Franklin Roosevelt spoke the following memorable words: “Yesterday, December 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.”
Of course, this last sentence is about as true as the Emperor’s statement that it was “far from Our thought either to infringe upon the sovereignty of other nations or to embark upon territorial aggrandizement.” In 1941 Germany and Japan were headed for victory. Unless the United States got into the war, much of the world would fall under Axis control – and the United States would be without major allies. Therefore, to avoid this situation, some members of the Roosevelt administration wanted to force a war with Japan. As Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes pointed out in early 1941, “To embargo oil to Japan would be as popular a move … as you could make. There might develop … a situation as would make it not only possible but easy to get into the war in an effective way.”
Since Ickes was also the Petroleum Coordinator for the Roosevelt Administration, he tried to suspend oil shipments to Japan – but President Roosevelt stopped him. Only later, when Japan seized French Indochina in mid-1941, did Roosevelt freeze Tokyo’s assets in the United States, forcing Japan to acquire licenses before buying resources used in waging war. In its practical effects, it was an oil embargo that began in August 1941.
The Japanese generals became desperate. The taxi cabs in Tokyo had no gasoline, and soon the Imperial Army would grind to a halt. As Japanese historian Saburo Ienaga explained, “If the economic offensive continued, Japan would soon run out of raw materials, especially oil, and be unable to sustain the war in China. A choice had to be made: stop the fighting in China or expand it to the United States, England, and Holland to get the oil.”
Japan’s last chance for peace was Prince Konoye, who offered to meet President Roosevelt. Konoye was willing to pull out of China, but the Japanese generals were not willing – and President Roosevelt wasn’t interested in a summit. General Tojo was firm in his opposition to Konoye’s initiative: “The army’s position is that there can be no compromise on the stationing of troops in China. It affects military morale…. Troop withdrawals are the heart of the matter. If we acquiesce to the American demand, everything we have achieved in China will be lost. Manchukuo will be endangered and our control of Korea will also be jeopardized.”
Tojo’s argument prevailed and Prince Konoye resigned on 16 October 1941. The decision for war against America did not reside in the army alone, however. Akira Muto, chief of the War Ministry’s Military Affairs Bureau, gave the Japanese Imperial Navy a veto in the matter of widening the war. But the navy refused to use that veto.
And so, the Japanese imperialists set out to kill as many Chinese, Americans, British and others as seemed necessary to secure Japan’s self-sufficiency. The dominant power in Northeast Asia therefore entered a suicidal course. With one-tenth of the economic potential of the United States, at war with China and the British Empire, Japan didn’t have a chance. By 1945 Japan’s navy was sunk, her air force was out of fuel, and her cities were burning.
In his 15 August 1945 speech, Emperor Hirohito sadly explained: “Despite the best that has been done by everyone – the gallant fighting of the military and naval forces, the diligence and assiduity of Our servants of the State and the devoted service of Our one hundred million people, the war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan’s advantage, while the general trends of the world have all turned against her interest. Moreover, the enemy has begun to employ a new and most cruel bomb … taking a toll of many innocent lives. Should We continue to fight, it would not only result in an ultimate collapse and obliteration of the Japanese nation, but also it would lead to the total extinction of human civilization.”
Thus the Emperor surrendered on condition that his own person would remain inviolate. “We have resolved to pave the way for a grand peace for all the generations to come by enduring the unendurable and suffering what is insufferable,” said Emperor Hirohito. “Having been able to safeguard and maintain the structure of the Imperial State, We are always with you, Our good and loyal subjects, relying upon your sincerity and integrity.”
Japan was occupied by America forces, adopted a more democratic form of government, and supported American policy in the region. Today Northeast Asia remains one the world’s most dangerous hotspots, where three of the world’s four largest armies come together with three of the world’s 11 largest economies. Since the Emperor’s speech the United States has preserved the peace by halting Communist military aggression in Korea. With the exception of the highly militarized regime in North Korea, the prosperity of the region owes much to the United States, though America’s influence is declining under pressure from Korean nationalism and China’s aggressive trade policy.
When the United States inevitably abandons Northeast Asia, leaving the region to itself, the five local powers – North and South Korea, Japan, China and Russia – will almost certainly come into conflict. To forestall Japan’s inevitable push toward nuclear armament, China will be prompted to take a violent decision. China must also oppose the peaceful reunification of the two Koreas – as a united Korea would possess the second-largest military on earth, and pose a subsequent threat to China (should a united Korea combine with India and Russia).
Though American “imperialism” has helped to advance the prosperity and preserve regional peace, national feeling must inevitably prevail. Who will dominate the region in fifty years? If we consult modern history to arrive at an answer, then the region will probably be dominated by Japan. If we consult ancient history, the answer would probably be China. Whatever the outcome, it will include a great deal of bloodshed.
