Invasion of Japan (For Want of the Bomb)

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Remaking the World
It was following the proclamation by Albert Einstein and Robert Oppenheimer that a nuclear weapon could not be built that the United States of America fully came to realize the possibility of an invasion of mainland Japan. Imperial Japan, now weak and nearly destroyed, but not kneeling, would not surrender despite U.S. demands and bombing of key cities.

Emperor Hirohito famously stated in September 1945 that the Japanese people would never surrender and that an Axis victory was still withing possibility. It was under these circumstances that the United States and the USSR came to an agreement about an Allied invasion of Japan. However, when it became apparent that Joseph Stalin had his sights set on a communist Japan, the U.S. was forced to launch an early invasion or face the consequences.

American forces landed on the Japanese islands through several points, including Kyoto itself. The fall of the Imperial city was a symbol of the defeat of Japan, but the Japanese still refused to give in. By February 1946, Operation Downfall was in effect, but the casualties were considered far too high. As American troops seemed on the verge of completely occupying Japan and securing victory for the Allies, the Soviets landed a force under Marshal Zhukov to hit the northern end of the Honshu.

The Soviets captured the relatively poorly defended regions with ease, the first easy victory for them since the 1941 betrayal by Hitler. Finally, Japan's military machine that had ruled East Asia collapsed, and the U.S. deposed Hirohito, Tojo, and their government along with their supporters in the military.

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