rEvolutionist wrote:
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As for the claim in question: The Japanese did reject it, and cable intercepts and transcripts of Japanese discussions have confirmed that this is what the Japanese actually meant, however vaguely they worded it at the time.
The claim this Hasegawa made was that there was no official response from the Japanese at all. Allegedly Truman et al relied on the press conference that the Japanese prime minister gave. The argument was that this press conference was politically scripted for Japanese audiences.
Hasegawa went out on a limb in that book, claiming (inter alia) that Truman was motivated primarily by revenge, something for which he offers no compelling evidence. A historian is only as good as their research and their analysis. Other parts of the book are much better, but some of the principal claims are, well, a bit iffy to say to least.
To be honest, after reading excerpts from both books, I'm not left with much confidence in the presentation of history. Both of them read like a fiction. Both were heavily interpretive. Perhaps as a scientist I will just never get over this doubt about the accuracy of historical narratives.
Even if it was, it was still broadcast to the world, and counted as an official response to the Declaration. The Japanese were not so ignorant of the basic principles of diplomacy that they didn't understand that. The fact is, the Japanese made no other attempt to communicate any response whatsoever right up until late on August 9th. That is to say, until after both atomic bombs and the invasion of Manchuria. In private as well as public, they ignored the Declaration until they were forced to do otherwise.
The Declaration specifically demanded a quick response:
"5. Following are our terms. We will not deviate from them. There are no alternatives.
We shall brook no delay." (emphasis mine)
http://www.atomicarchive.com/Docs/Hiros ... sdam.shtml
If the Japanese had wanted to negotiate - even when faced with an ultimatum - then they could have stated that at the time, without even going into specifics. They didn't say anything, nor were they going to. In fact, when they finally issued a response late on August 9th, it
did represent a negotiating position, asking for very major concessions - which were very promptly rejected. Diplomacy can proceed very quickly if both sides want to talk.
As for narratives: Much of the evidence is properly documented in the form of meeting minutes (on both sides) and intercepts of Japanese cables. Compared to many other major historical events, it's actually very well documented.
God has no place within these walls, just like facts have no place within organized religion. - Superintendent Chalmers
It's not up to us to choose which laws we want to obey. If it were, I'd kill everyone who looked at me cock-eyed! - Rex Banner
The Bluebird of Happiness long absent from his life, Ned is visited by the Chicken of Depression. - Gary Larson
Are you on drugs? You took the piss out of Sandi, without realising that you were taking the piss out of your ally. 
