Emperor Hirohito Tours Tokyo Fire Damage

After the firebombing of March 9-10, 1945, Emperor Hirohito toured the ruins of Tokyo nine days later. He was accompanied by his doctor and chamberlain. Three other cars made up the motorcade. Hirohito's aides were shocked by the apparent antipathy displayed to the Emperor. With 100,000 dead and 16 square miles (41 square kilometers) burned out, the public was in no mood to display fealty to their monarch. Observers wondered if Hirohito would announce Japan's surrender but instead he pushed for the defense of Okinawa.