It's true that Japan would capitulate even without the nukes and the US was just testing out their cool new weapons of mass destruction, but also it is kinda true that there was a lot of fanaticism and many people ready to sacrifice themselves if the government decided to go down that route. I was reading Akira Kurosawa's autobiography and his description was pretty shocking. There was this protocol announced by the government named 100 Million Shattered Jewels, where supposedly if Japan were to be invaded, the entire populace would basically be sacrificed to fight the enemy. Kurosawa said that most people were prepared for that, and he believed it too. It seems like it was just propaganda and there was no real intention to carry it through but the fanaticism was real. It makes it all the more weird seeing how fast Japan just completely reversed their attitude.
It's true that Japan would capitulate even without the nukes and the US was just testing out their cool new weapons of mass destruction, but also it is kinda true that there was a lot of fanaticism and many people ready to sacrifice themselves if the government decided to go down that route. I was reading Akira Kurosawa's autobiography and his description was pretty shocking. There was this protocol announced by the government named 100 Million Shattered Jewels, where supposedly if Japan were to be invaded, the entire populace would basically be sacrificed to fight the enemy. Kurosawa said that most people were prepared for that, and he believed it too. It seems like it was just propaganda and there was no real intention to carry it through but the fanaticism was real. It makes it all the more weird seeing how fast Japan just completely reversed their attitude.
A number of senior American officials including from the military later said it was not needed.
I agree.