Importance of Washington, D.C.

Tokyo is the capital of the Empire of Japanese, but like the empire itself it gradually diminishes, as American bombing raids destroy much of it, including the imperial residence (though this is accidental, as the American bombs had struck buildings near it, only to have their fires spread to the emperor’s home). As Tokyo declines in size the emperor’s government declines in power; at the beginning of the book they remain defiant despite heavy losses, but as much of the city is burnt away the emperor becomes paralyzed, at first unable to cope with defeat, then concerned that he will be unable to even carry out a surrender because high-ranking officials may value national ideals of invincibility more than they value the emperor or the well-being of the Japanese public. Only Hirohito’s final acceptance of reality and assertion of authority saves Japan from further misery, and saves Tokyo itself from an atomic bombing – something Truman considered before their unconditional surrender reached him.