This is a interesting read but the author leaves out some of the basic facts .
http://www.slate.com/blogs/quora/201...ld_war_ii.html
Emperor Hirohito was at the core of the Japanese war machine, he gave out the orders and pulled the strings and he was involved in all of the major decisions at war cabinet level. He for example ordered the capture of Nanking and the subsequent brutal atrocities , he personally appointed the General in charge of the operation. He was present at war planning meetings and he agreed to the Pearl Harbour attack many months before it happened . After WW2 the Japanese heirachy and McArthur's PR team tried to persuade us that Hirohito was a benign character and he was hiding away in his palace doing nothing , nothing could be further from the truth . Hirohito deeply craved for all European and U.S. influence to be banished across Asia, this was his goal .
Australia and others wanted Hirohito prosecuted for war crimes but McArthur said NO. Instead Hirohito lived a long life of luxury in his palace .