"It is absolutely obvious that it is impossible for us to conceptualize what this is really like," he says. "Such a weapon has the power to make everything into nothing, and still does by way of damocles." The leaders on the japanese side who are resistant to surrendering when it's clearly over should be brought in 'in an ebenezer scrooge', writes Noda.
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.