Japan's imperial system includes a lot of what we would call the oligarchy, or the old guard. In germany, in last year the war, between ten 20 thousand people were hung or executed on charges of defeatism. The point that even bringing up peace could get you charged as an armagedden is that rationality isn't actively punished by death.
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.