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In OTL, the prime concern of the Japanese leadership in Aug 1945 was preserving the Imperial Throne. So much so that even though they had already seen one city disappear in a mushroom cloud, they dithered until another city was vapourized and a Soviet offensive forced their hand.

MacArthur, perhaps fearing and a counter-insurgency against Allied occupation, gave Emperor Hirohito a "get out of jail free" card and proceeded to airbrush his involvement out of the war record. MacArthur hoped to use him as a figurehead to control the Japanese population and assist his rebuilding program. In a sense, that plan worked.

But it worked at the expense of justice being properly served and I wonder if another way was possible.

MacArthur should have insisted that Hirohito abdicate from the throne and pass it to another family member (one with clean or "cleaner" hands).
Hirohito should have been made to answer for his involvement in the crimes of his army/navy officers who answered to him, after all.

What would the likely impact of this ATL be?
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