Imperial History Compiled

Imperial Household Agency on Thursday announced that it completed compilation of the annals of Emperor Hirohito, who experienced fatal defeat of the nation in World War II. The agency submitted them to Emperor Akihito, the eldest son of Hirohito. While historians expect the annals to reveal hidden facts in Showa era, some warns of possibility that politicians will take advantage of them. IHA is going to publish them without any censoring on the lines.

Hirohito, or Showa Emperor, was on the throne between 1926 and 1989, the longest in Japan’s history. The biggest event in his time was undoubtedly World War II, which fundamentally changed the status of Emperor from “a living god” to a human. While the Emperor had been a head of state to overview governance, the post-war pacifist constitution defined him as a symbol of integration of Japan and Japanese citizens. It was unusual for a Japanese Emperor to go through such a drastic change.

The annals consist of diaries of chamberlains, official documents of IHA, medical diagnoses or records of tours in and outside Japan. Although the previous annals of Yoshihito, or Taisho Emperor, were written by literally language and some parts were not disclosed, new annals will be in spoken language and completely disclosed. They will be constituted with sixty-one volumes and over twelve thousand pages in total, which makes the longest annals since the first ones in the eighth century. It took twenty-four years to complete the compilation. Akihito thanked for the labor of the efforts.

Historians focus on some important decision around the war. They include starting the war, accepting Potsdam Declaration for unconditional surrender or dialogue with General Douglas McArthur, the commander of General Headquarters of United Nations. One expects news in post-war era, rather than the wartime about which rich study has been done.

There is an argument that complete disclosure of information may cause reviewing Showa history. Besides, this is the time when a revisionist prime minister takes power in Japanese government. Interpretation of the annals needs to be careful. In addition, people have to understand that they are not the official history but personal record of Hirohito.

The world will take a close watch on the history of Showa, too. Digesting historical facts being appearing on those pages with deliberate efforts will help this drifting nation determine the direction to go to the future.