WI the A-bombs were dropped on Kyoto and Hiroshima

Kyoto was a potential target for the A bomb. The Japanese Emperor lived there and there and would be killed in the bomb. What would happen.

My thought is that fighting would continue longer as his soldiers tried to overthrow him to prevent surrender. Would there could be succession issues? Would there be an invasion of Japan or another bomb dropped?
 
Kyoto was a potential target for the A bomb. The Japanese Emperor lived there and there and would be killed in the bomb. What would happen.

My thought is that fighting would continue longer as his soldiers tried to overthrow him to prevent surrender. Would there could be succession issues? Would there be an invasion of Japan or another bomb dropped?

They DID try to overthrow him to prevent surrender. It didn't work. Besides, the emperor actually lived in Tokyo, in a palace which evidently hadn't been destroyed by firebomb raids. Why would he be killed by nuking Kyoto?
 
Sorry, i meant Tokyo


Tokyo was never on the list for two reasons. First, it had already been extensively damaged and so would not be a good test of the bomb's capabilities. Second, the Emperor lived there and was viewed by the Allies as a necessary part of any surrender.

As for Kyoto, it was on the original target list but was immediately removed when the list was given to Henry Stimson, the Secretary, for comment. Stimson had served as governor-general of the Philippines and had visited Japan both officially and on his honeymoon. He knew the cultural and historic significance of the city.

So, neither of the cities you mention were going to be nuked.
 
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