HIROHITO'S bACKGROUND
Hirohito was born on April 29, 1901. He was the eldest son of Crown Prince Yoshihito. Because of customs in Tokyo, he spent his early years in the care of first a retired vice-admiral and then an imperial attendant (imperial family members were not to be raised by their parents). From ages 7-19, Hirohito attended schools set up for the children of nobility. In 1921, Hirohito and a 34- man entourage traveled to Western Europe for a six month tour; first time a Japanese crown prince had ever gone abroad.
In reality he had little power, with civilian and increasing military officials deciding national policy. He was apart of the Democratic (Minseito) Party. He reluctantly supported the invasion of Manchuria, the war against China, and attempted to encourage cooperation with Britain and the USA. However, he had no choice but to approve the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that led to war between Japan and the US in Dec. 1941.
In reality he had little power, with civilian and increasing military officials deciding national policy. He was apart of the Democratic (Minseito) Party. He reluctantly supported the invasion of Manchuria, the war against China, and attempted to encourage cooperation with Britain and the USA. However, he had no choice but to approve the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that led to war between Japan and the US in Dec. 1941.