Hirohito

Hirohito (1901-1989) was the last Japanese ruler to uphold the Shinto idea of imperial divinity. His 60 years rule saw his nation transformed from a traditional society to a industrial modern one. Emperor Hirohito led his nation into a devastating war, but oversaw its rebirth as well. Through interviews and archival footage, this program traces the long life of this figure, presents footage of his coronation as emperor and proclamation of divinity in 1926, traces the elements that led his nation into war, and explain how he eventually accepted defeat and allowed his nation to be steered toward the future.