Why Japan Dropped The Atomic Bomb?

In 1945, World War Two, a six year conflict, ended in the adoption of firebombing tactics, and ultimately the dropping of two atomic bombs. These two bombs dropped on the Japanese cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima devastated thousands, killing and wounding 75,000 and 150,000 people respectively. At the time this decision was one supported by many because after years of fighting they believed it would save more American lives, and prevent the need for more face to face combat between the Allied Powers and the Axis powers, which at this point only consisted of Japan. However, years after the end of World War Two many historians have analyzed the motives behind this decision. Many believe the traditional orthodox argument that dropping these

Two main Japanese historians have debated this issue. Sadao Asada firmly believes the bombs were the main factor that caused the Japanese to surrender, however, Tsuyoshi Hasegawa disagrees believing Soviet invasion persuaded the Japanese to surrender. These arguments differ in how the historians interpret the impact of the atomic bombs, the politics behind surrender and the Soviet’s readiness to make peace following the Potsdam Conference. Following the conference both Asada and Hasegawa agree that Japan would not surrender due to the fact that they wanted their emperor to retain his imperial position. The schism occurs when we discuss what this belief meant. For Asada, this means the Japanese were willing to fight until they were either victorious or defeated, however, for Hasegawa this means Japan would attempt seeking Soviet assistance in mediation. Hasegawa states in The Atomic Bombs and the Soviet Invasion: What Drove Japan’s Decision to Surrender? “Japan relied on Soviet neutrality both militarily and diplomatically, Japan pinned its last hope on Moscow’s mediation for the termination of the war. Only by Soviet entry into the war was Japan forced to make a decision on the Postdam terms. Militarily as well,