"I am not a human being!"

Could having him openly supporting the Americans as a divine being instead of just the emperor make the occupation easier?

In exchange for full cooperation the U.S. doesn't question imperial divinity.
 
Could having him openly supporting the Americans as a divine being instead of just the emperor make the occupation easier?

In exchange for full cooperation the U.S. doesn't question imperial divinity.

Ooooh! Never thought of that! I don't know much about State Shinto. Do they believe in hell or some kind of spiritual punishment for disobeying? I can just see it now:

OBEY THE AMERICAN OCCUPIERS
UNDER PENALTY OF ETERNAL HELL
BY ORDER OF GOD ALMIGHTY HIROHITO
 
He gets deposed in favour of Akihito or another member of the Imperial Family.

Note there were some Japanese ultranationalists who thought Hirohito should have abdicated because he lost the war.
 

jahenders

Banned
He gets deposed in favour of Akihito or another member of the Imperial Family.

Note there were some Japanese ultranationalists who thought Hirohito should have abdicated because he lost the war.

While that's possible BEFORE the occupation, once the US is in charge, they're not going to allow the deposing of someone who's working with them somewhat. Also, though they wouldn't like it, the nationalists might have a hard time suddenly deciding the emperor ISN'T divine after 100K+ Japanese died extending the war so they could keep the emperor.

Perhaps the Emperor could say, "This time of trial is ordained by the Gods for our hubris and failings. We have born the costs of war and must now bear the costs of peace in humility to emerge a stronger people. It is the decree of the Emperor and our ancestors that you work with the allies to build a land that is stronger in peace than in war."
 
Well, such people are pretty much in the minority, though. One of those who called for Hirohito's abdication, Yukio Mishima, pretty much earned the spite of mainstream nationalists for that.

Exactly; you depose one emperor & then the next time one gives someone a bit of trouble then folks start shouting for his abdication, and who knows where that will end???? You could even end up with a republic :eek:
 
Assisted suicide

If he claims divinity, and causes trouble after the occupation starts, he might be "assisted" to commit Sepuku. I can't see the Americans executing him--but staging a suicide--definitely. (Or staging a murder of the Emperor by "Hardline fanatics that refused to surrender."
 
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