Historian Herbert p bik writes in hirohito and the making of modern japan, two days after emperor herohito's inspection of bomb damage in the capital. Shitihara had earlier advised foreign minister shigmitsu that the people would gradually get used to being bombed daily. In time, unity and resolve would grow stronger,. this would allow the diplomats room to devise plans for saving the country during unprecedented crisis.
When do spirit, tenacity, resilience and bravery cross into madness? When cities are incinerated? When suicide attacks become the norm? When atomic weapons are used? Japan's leaders test the limits of national endurance in the war's last year.