Emperor Hirohito Tours Tokyo Fire Damage

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Caption: 
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.
Caption Written By: 
Jason McDonald
Date Photographed: 
Sunday, March 18, 1945
City: 
Tokyo
State/Province/Oblast: 
Tokyo Prefecture
Country: 
Japan