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[[Image:General MacArthur and Emperor Hirohito.jpg|thumb|General MacArthur and Emperor Hirohito]]

[[Image:General MacArthur and Emperor Hirohito.jpg|thumb|General MacArthur and Emperor Hirohito]]

'''Hirohito''' (Shōwa, known as Tenno to his subjects) (Tokio, 1901 - 1989) Emperor of [[Japan]] from 1926 to 1989, the longest reign in Japanese history. During his period (Shōwa era) Japan went from a fairly rural country to one of the economic powers of the world. He was grandson of Emperor Meiji, and son of Emperor Taisho.

'''Hirohito''' (Shōwa, known as Tenno to his subjects) (Tokyo, 1901 - 1989) was Emperor of [[Japan]] from 1926 to 1989, reigning for the longest in Japanese history. During his period, (Shōwa era) Japan went from a fairly rural country to one of the economic powers of the world. He was grandson of Emperor Meiji, and son of Emperor Taisho.

During the war against China (1931-32) and the invasion of Manchuria (in 1937) Japan took over other countries by force; in the [[Second World War]], after the attack on [[Pearl Harbor]], Japan and the United States got involved in war with the well known consequences. By the summer of 1945, some members of Japan’s government wanted to surrender.

In September 1941, Japan issued a formal declaration of war with allied powers, and on December 7, Japanese forces initiated conflict with the United States in the attack on [[Pearl Harbor]]. The first battles were mostly victories, however the [[battle of Midway]] marked a turning point in the war. By the summer of 1945, some members of Japan’s government wanted to surrender.

On 15th August 1945, Hirohito announced the unconditional surrender.  

On 15th August 1945, Hirohito announced the unconditional surrender.