Konoe Fumima was a civil servant and the Prime Minister of the Cabinet. What he considered was the political influence. Prince Kanin Gongzaihito and Sugiyama Yuan were concerned about determining the true intentions of the road army and ensuring the safety of Jiaoji Road. Therefore, after listening to Konoe
After Wei Wenma's words, Prince Kanin Gong Zaijin reported: Your Majesty, Your Excellency the Prime Minister's opinion is correct, Odaka Kamezo must be rescued. However, the top priority is to immediately determine the combat direction of the 133rd Division.
Should we concentrate in Weixian or evacuate to Jinan? This is a big matter and involves the issue of whether the Jiaoji Road has been lost. I do not dare to take matters into my own hands and I sincerely request His Majesty's decree.
Lu Xiang Shanshan Yuan was the first person to call for the destruction of China in three months, and he was also a representative figure of the theory of quick victory. This old devil, who usually looks ignorant, is actually a guy who is very determined to invade China. Three months
Not to mention the destruction of China, that has become a laughing stock. Now that Jiang Qiang is about to win the Nanchang offensive, he stabs him in Shandong. How can he not become angry with shame?
Shan Shanyuan knelt down and reported: Your Majesty, the army is currently conducting the Nanchang offensive, and the two battlefields are progressing smoothly. Under normal circumstances, Nanchang can fall into the hands of the Japanese Army within two days. Taking Guangzhou is also
In a few days, Jiang Qiang is now launching an offensive in Shandong. He has seized the opportunity when the army's elite divisions are unable to withdraw from the front lines in Nanchang and Guangzhou, and hits the weakest part of the central Shandong area. In particular, the Jiaodong Army Headquarters captured Ogao Guizang.
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It is bound to stimulate the resistance will of the Nanjing government troops on the Nanchang front and Guangzhou front, and may affect the progress of the two offensive battles. Chen and others considered that the Jiangqiang Department has always been a thorn in the side of the Japanese Empire and must be completely eliminated. But now is not the time to capture Nanchang.
, Guangzhou is more important than the elimination of Jiang Qiang. Therefore, we should be on the defensive in Shandong. The current problem is that the commander of the North China Front Army, General Juichi Terauichi, is not in the army, the commander of the Second Army, Odaka Kamezo, has fallen into the enemy's hands, and the Shandong garrison has lost unified command.
, it is easy for the Jiaodong Group Army to defeat them one by one. General Juichi Terauchi should be assigned immediately to return to Peiping quickly, and at the same time, a new commander of the Twelfth Army should be appointed to command the North China Army.
Emperor Hirohito asked coldly: When the Wuhan offensive was launched, didn't the army report that Jiang Qiang's troops had been in Jiaodong? Why did you judge that Jiang Qiang's troops had launched an offensive in Shandong when something happened to Ouga Kamezo? Jiaodong
Doesn't the loss of several county towns in Jilu mean that Jiang Qiang's large troops are attacking the entire Shandong Province? There must not be many army garrisons in those counties. Could it be the remnants of Jiang Qiang's troops left in Shandong? I remember,
You have deployed a strong force on the front line in Xuzhou and built a blockade. Are the army's blockades all made of paper? Prince Xianyuan Gong Zaieren answered bravely: Your Majesty, the Jiangqiang Department is essentially a military force.
Rogue troops, similar to bandits, are used to deception.
Before he finished speaking, Emperor Hirohito slapped the table and scolded: How many imperial warriors have died in ignorance at the hands of Jiang Qiang? How dare you say that Jiang Qiang's troops are bandits. The bandits can be defeated by well-equipped and well-trained soldiers.
Is the Japanese Army a perfect division? With your kind of thinking, if you direct the army to fight, you will inevitably underestimate the enemy. How can you be invincible?
Prince Kanin Miyazaihito's gray beard was trembling, and there were beads of sweat on his forehead, but what he wanted to say had to be said. As soon as the emperor's reprimand ended, Prince Kaninmiya Zaihi continued: Although it is still
Jiang Qiang did not have troops ready to attack the entire Shandong, but the offensive launched by the Jiaodong Group Army in Shandong showed that they used many troops to launch offensives in several areas at the same time. This does not include the capture of Weigao Guizang, which was all Jiang Qiang's.
Jiang Qiang is the only one in the whole China army who can do this. He has trained aviation troops, and only he can fly back the planes at the airport. Other China troops have sneak attacks on the airport, and usually blow up the planes. Please
Your Majesty is aware of this.
Emperor Hirohito sighed and said slowly: So, what does he want to do? Does he want to capture Jinan again or attack the First Division? What do you think, dear friends?
Shanshan Yuan reported: I and others believe that the handling of Lieutenant General Okabe Naosaburo, the chief of staff of the North China Front, is more appropriate. The top priority is to quickly order the 133rd Division to move closer and build a strong defense line to resist Jiang Qiang's attack.
.As long as the two divisions can hold out until the end of the Nanchang war, elite divisions can be mobilized to return reinforcements and encircle and annihilate the main force of Jiangqiang. If necessary, just send the navy to transfer the Qingdao garrison and overseas Chinese to Tianjin. Without the defenders,
If Jiang Qiang dares to occupy Qingdao, we can mobilize a large number of fighter planes to blow Qingdao into ruins and bury Jiang Qiang's troops in Qingdao.
When Shanshan Yuan said this, there was a trace of hatred coming out from between his teeth, and Emperor Hirohito couldn't help but shudder when he heard it.
Hearing that Sugisu Yuan's arrangements were similar, and he had no better way, Emperor Hirohito asked: What should we do about Taka Kamezo? Should we just let him be tried by the Chinese?
Prince Kanin Gong Zaijin said: Your Majesty, the key now is to consider how to repel Jiang Qiang's attack and ensure the safety of the 133rd Division. Of course Odaka Kamezo must be rescued, but you can plan carefully.
In the long run, we can even use special agents to find the place where Odaka Kamezo will be held in the future and try to rescue him. If that doesn't work, we can try to notify him and let him commit suicide and die for the country. Anyway, we can't let the China government's conspiracy to put him on trial succeed.
Konoe Fumima listened over and over again, and finally understood that the Chief of General Staff and Prime Minister Lu were afraid of Jiang Qiang and did not want to save Ogao Kamezo. In this case, the military did not need to step in, only
The government can take the blame. This embarrassing thing was originally done by the arrogant army, but the government has to face the questioning of the people and the ridicule of foreign countries. How can this be done?
Konoe Fumima hurriedly reported: Your Majesty, I cannot agree with the opinions of His Royal Highness the Prince and the Prime Minister of the Land. The 133rd Division should be mobilized to pursue Jiang Qiang's troops who attacked Ogao Kamezo and rescue Ogao Kamezo. Otherwise,
The cabinet cannot be held responsible for this matter, and the Army is requested to explain to various countries and the domestic public.
Prince Xuan Yuan Gong Zai Ren rolled his eyes: Prime Minister, the army is about to capture Nanchang and Guangzhou. Could it be that capturing Nanchang and Guangzhou's military exploits cannot offset the capture of a high-tailed turtle? The Jiaodong Army can capture one of our lieutenant generals.
In the future, can we kill and capture their division commanders and commanders, and bring them back to Japan for trial?
Shan Shanyuan was even more straightforward and said directly: Prime Minister, the Jiaodong Army Headquarters is launching an offensive now, and the rescue of Ogao Guizang may fall into Jiang Qiang's trap. If there is another problem with the 133rd Division by then,
The result was even more terrifying. The Army was preparing to issue a statement announcing that Lieutenant General Otaka Kamezo had died due to illness, and the commander of the Twelfth Army appointed another person to take over. As for Otaka Kamezo, who was captured by the Route Army, it must have been a lie fabricated by the Route Army.
A stand-in pretended to be Lieutenant General Otaka Kamezo.
Konoe Fumima felt a sense of sadness in his heart. When did the Minister of War, who had always shouted for the conquest of China by force, become so afraid of the Jiaodong Army? It seems that not only the combat effectiveness of the Route Army must be re-evaluated, but also the Nanchang strategy battle and the Guangzhou strategy battle to the end.
How much real results can be achieved has to be re-evaluated. The Wuhan strategy battle has been going on for so long and a huge military expenditure has been spent. Until now, there has been no report from the Army about capturing a division commander of the Nanjing government. The original idea was to use the Wuhan strategy strategy
It seems that this idea of defeating China in one battle may be difficult to realize now.
Konoe Fumima made up his mind to seize the time and report to His Majesty the Emperor alone, revising the war policy against China. I am afraid that the main focus of the war on China will be changed to that of enticing surrender. He also reported to the Emperor along the way, and asked the arrogant Sugimoto Yuan to
This guy was kicked out of the Army Department. He could figure out this kind of covert plan. I really don't know how to write the word "disgraceful".
How could Gen Sugigi know what Konoe Fumima was thinking, and he could have persuaded the Prime Minister by himself? After seeing several ministers finish speaking, Emperor Hirohito said: The army must hurry up and execute the Nanchang offensive and the Guangzhou offensive.
As long as Nanchang and Guangzhou are captured, the Chairman should surrender. As for Shandong, defensive operations can be adopted. The specific combat deployment is the responsibility of the Chief of General Staff. The commander of the North China Front Army must return to his post immediately and be responsible for commanding the North China War. The Twelfth Army
The commander can be succeeded by Hisao Tani.
After saying that, he glanced around and saw that Hisashi Terauchi was still reading the telegram attentively, so he said: Count Terauchi, did you hear what I said? In fact, Hisashi Terauchi had already read the telegram several times, and he had some concerns in his mind.
After hearing the emperor's question, he knelt down and reported: Your Majesty, I heard it. However, I thought that the war in Shandong has reached an extremely dangerous stage, and the matter may not be as simple as the Prince and the Prime Minister judged.
Not to mention other people, Emperor Hirohito himself was a little surprised. Could something bigger and more terrible happen? Emperor Hirohito's face was uncertain, staring at the big-headed and short-built Touhou Terauchi.
After waiting for a long time, he said: Dear, please tell me your opinion.
Hisashi Terauchi was an unwavering invader in North China, but in the imperial palace where the invaders were based, he would never dare to cause trouble. When Emperor Hirohito asked him to speak, he frowned and said: Otaka Kamezo and Kobayashi Senzaburo
He did not understand Jiang Qiang's Jiaodong Group Army and did not study enough, which led to the current mistake. Naosaburo Gangbe understood Jiang Qiang's combat characteristics, so after receiving the telegram, he immediately ordered the 1st and 33rd Division to move closer, intending to form a heavy force
group to resist the attack of the Route Army. But they were all wrong, at least they did not make a serious analysis and judgment. I estimate that at this moment, the First Division may no longer exist, at least the division commander Xia Yuan Xiong Mizhong
The general also fell into the hands of Jiang Qiang. Letting the 33rd Division move closer to the First Division would be sending the sheep into the tiger's mouth.
Terauchi Shou's words were undoubtedly a thunder, and the explosion shook the Pine Pavilion. Emperor Hirohito's face became more and more gloomy, maybe because he gritted his teeth too hard, and there was a trace of blood on the corners of his mouth. This caused several ministers to bang on the ground in a hurry.
While kowtowing, he did not forget to say, "Your Majesty, please calm down."
Emperor Hirohito stretched out his fingers to wipe away the bloodshot eyes at the corners of his mouth, and said coldly: Has the matter really reached this point? My dear, please continue, I'm fine. Terauchi then continued: Your Majesty, I judge that the main force of the army went south at that time.
When chasing Jiang Qiang's main force, Jiang Qiang repeated his old tricks. Jin Chan escaped from his shell and used a force to disguise himself as the main force to lure the heavy army group to the Yellow River. However, the large force quietly returned to the vicinity of Jinan. At that time, he took advantage of the loophole.
Jiang Qiang himself was very skilled and courageous. During this period, the former commander of the Second Army, Lieutenant General Dongjiurgong Nianyan Wang, was attacked. It was probably Jiang Qiang’s small group of special forces. During this period, the army and navy concentrated
Jiang Qiang launched the Wuhan offensive, but no one paid attention to his Jiaodong Group Army, and Jiang Qiang was good at camouflage and concealment. You must know that the air defense firepower of Jiang Qiang's department was the most powerful among the Chinese troops. At that time, after the Jiaodong Group Army Air Force completed the sneak attack, the ammunition was used
After all, it is the weakest.
Terauchi Hisamasa said that he was in high spirits and did not look at the emperor's face, and then said: Now, the Nanchang offensive has reached the final moment. The Combined Fleet and the Fourth Fleet have moved south to support the 21st Army in launching the Nanchang offensive. The Imperial Army Army
All the navy's elite have left Shandong, and it is impossible to return to Shandong to aid. Jiang Qiang took action because he took a fancy to this.
On this point, both Prince Kanin Miya Zaihito and Sugi Sugimoto just said that Emperor Hirohito did not want to be verbose, so he waved his hand to Terauchi to talk about the important things.
Terauchi glanced at Emperor Hirohito and saw that he was listening to him attentively. He knew that he would not be held responsible anymore. On the contrary, His Majesty the Emperor's trust in him took another step forward. Then he touched his dry lips with his tongue.
, continued: Your Majesty, it is obvious that he wants to capture the entire Shandong in one fell swoop, use Shandong as his base, and continue to fight against the imperial army. This is a very big conspiracy.
Shan Shanyuan was anxious to hear what Terauchi Shou said about the First Division, and couldn't help but remind him to hurry up and tell him about the battle in Central Shandong. The situation on the front line was changing rapidly, and the Twelfth Army was still waiting for instructions from the base camp.
Sugimoto's interruption was very rude, and before Terauchi could react, Emperor Hirohito reprimanded him.
Only then did Shouichi Terauchi talk about the war in Central Shandong: Your Majesty, Jiang Qiang’s department has a particularly elite small force, which is best at disguised sneak attacks. From the time Jiang Qiang established his army, this small force has been his vanguard.
When the Japanese army captured Taiyuan during the battle, they robbed the equipment of the military factory, and they attacked Fengtai and Haiguang Temple in Tianjin. It was this small force that opened the way. There is a detail here, that is, Otaka Kamezo decided to go to Weixian to command the operation. It was only decided at night
, set off early the next morning, very few people knew this information, only a very few people at the Twelfth Army Headquarters and the First Division Headquarters knew it, and the information could never be leaked. The Weixian Airport has actually been decommissioned.
It was absolutely impossible for the Jiaodong Army to expect that the commander of the Twelfth Army would arrive at Ershilipu Airport by special plane and wait there for a sneak attack. Moreover, Ershilipu Airport is right next to the headquarters of the 15th Regiment in Fangzi.
If it is a sneak attack by a large army of the Route Army, it will never escape the eyes of the 15th Regiment. If it is a sneak attack by a small force, there is no need to mobilize the 133rd Division to pursue it. It is obvious that it was Jiang Qiang's troops who attacked Fang.
They then launched a sneak attack on the county seat of Weixian County. The headquarters of Xia Yuan Xiongmi found a telegram that Odaka Kamezo was about to arrive at Ershilipu Airport. Only then did he wait for Otaka Kamezo to be captured alive at Shilibao Airport. What was even more abominable was that
, Jiang Qiang must have commanded the mobilization of troops under the disguise of Lieutenant General Moto Kuma Mi. Therefore, not to mention that it is impossible to rescue Odaka Kamezo, even the first division may have been wiped out by now.
Although Japan is a first-class economy and a third-class politics, these aggressive invaders are not fools. Hisashi Terauchi said that they all understand.
Prince Xianyuan Gong Zairen immediately said: Your Majesty, I want to take leave and send a report to the 33rd Division, ordering them to stop their advance immediately and put Wei County on combat alert.
Emperor Hirohito waved his hand: Be patient, don't go back to the staff, just send the report in the palace. Let Count Terauchi finish what he said, everyone listens, and then discuss it. Count Terauchi, you are the commander of the North China Front, this order
It's up to you to send it. I'm waiting here. You can go and come back quickly.
Terauchi Shou immediately stood up and followed a palace guard to the confidential room.
The trip actually took more than an hour. When Juichi Terauchi came back, Emperor Hirohito, Prime Minister Konoe, Prince Kanin Palace Zaihito, and Sugimoto Yuan were still sitting there.
Seeing the solemn look on Terauchi's face, Emperor Hirohito asked: Earl Terauchi, it was just your analysis and judgment. How can we be sure that your analysis is correct?
Terauchi Juda: Your Majesty, it has been confirmed. I have been waiting in the confidential room for a long time. I used a special password to send a message to the brigade commander, regiment commander, and battalion commander of the first division, asking them to reply immediately. The result was only twenty
A captain of the fifth brigade stationed in Zhoucun called back, but the others did not reply. It means that they have all been destroyed or captured. I have ordered Toshi Kinoshita to send more planes for reconnaissance. There will be a telegram soon.
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At this time, several aggressive maniacs were dumbfounded. They were like eggplants beaten by frost, with drooped faces and no words. After a long while, Emperor Hirohito came back to his senses and asked: How did you deploy?
Temple Shou kowtowed and reported: Your Majesty, I have ordered the 35th Division stationed in Tai'an to leave a brigade to station in Tai'an. The main force will immediately move to Jinan to ensure the safety of Jinan. Order the imperial army stationed in Dongping to form the 13th Division.
The brigade withdrew from the western Tai'an area and returned to defend Tai'an. The Dezhou garrison was ordered to urgently gather troops and distribute weapons to the expatriates in Dezhou to assist in the defense of Dezhou. The 33rd Division was ordered to immediately withdraw from Dongping County and build fortifications based on the county seat for a long period of time.
Stay prepared.
Prince Kanin Gong Zaijin became anxious when he heard this: Earl of Temple, with your arrangement like this, wouldn’t it have turned the 33rd Division into a lone army? Wouldn’t that have caused the Empire of Japan to lose another division?
Temple Shou hurriedly explained: Your Highness, there is no way around this. Now the 33rd Division has fallen into the encirclement of the Jiaodong Army. To the west is the rifle of the Route Army. It is no longer possible to retreat to Dezhou to the east. Jiang
Qiang must have deployed troops waiting halfway. If the Combined Fleet and the Fourth Fleet are there, there is still a chance of survival. They can cover them and respond to them. Now that the fleet is not here, not to mention that they can't reach the seaside, even if they get there, there are no warships.
To respond, you can only become a dead soul under artillery fire. Not to mention to the south, which is the mountainous base of the Eighth Route Army, there is only one way to die. Moreover, the 33rd Division is a security division, and its combat effectiveness cannot be compared with the permanent division.
They have already experienced being defeated by the Route Army. If they are ordered to retreat, it will give the Eighth Route Army the opportunity to annihilate them on the move. Only by ordering them to stick to the spot and rely on county towns and fortifications can they persist longer and give the Eighth Route Army
Cause heavy casualties, and at the same time buy time for Jinan defense and Texas defense.
Konoe Fumima's eyes were opened today, and he truly saw the talents of these field marshals and generals. Listening to Terauchi Hisashi's words, it seemed that everything was clear to him, and he couldn't help but speak.
He sarcastically said: Your Excellency, General, since you have analyzed the situation so thoroughly and have countermeasures, why don't you think of ways to help the 33rd Division break out? That's nearly 20,000 strong Japanese men. What if they were war elephants?
If we continue to fight like this, not to mention occupying China, I am afraid that it will be difficult for women in the Japanese Empire to find husbands in the future.
Although Konoe Fumima's tone was not kind, his words were very heavy and made several old devils unable to breathe.
The man in the temple was stunned for a long time before he opened his mouth and said: Your Excellency, Prime Minister, I am reporting the truth. Of course, if the 33rd Division can hold on for a week, they will have a way to survive. Otherwise, no one can save them. You are a thousand
Don't even ask Tai'an's 35th Division, Jinan garrison, and Texas garrison to rescue. That will only make more strong Japanese men die.
Konoe Fumima saw that there was a hint of refutation in Terauchi's tone, and regardless of whether he was rude in front of the emperor, he raised his head and laughed. After laughing, he said: Your army started the China Incident, and it was your Terauchi who helped expand the situation.
Planned. Calculate how much war expenses your North China Front spent, how many divisions and brigades were lost, how many soldiers were killed in battle? Up to now, not only can you not stabilize the security in Shandong, but you are also watching helplessly as the 33rd
The division went to die. I request your Majesty to hold the army accountable for its poor command and the failure of the battle. Otherwise, it will be impossible to explain to the people.
Prince Kanin Miyazaishin, Sugimoto Yuan, and Juichi Terauchi fear most is to be held accountable. Otherwise, just because the 20th Division, the 107th Division and the 5th Division were annihilated in these defeats, this
It’s time for these guys to perform caesarean section one by one to apologize.
Juichi Terauchi doesn't want to offend Konoe Fumima, in fact he can't afford to offend him. However, he is definitely not afraid of Konoe Fumima. The Konoe family is a famous noble, and the Terauchi family is not much different. Moreover, there is someone standing behind him.
How could the entire army be afraid of Konoe Fumima? Now, Konoe Fumima pointed his finger at Terauchi Juichi. Of course Terauchi Juichi could not sit still and wait for death. He immediately retorted: The China Incident is the established national policy of the Empire of Japan, and it is also the prime minister.
has always maintained that the Army only acted in compliance with the orders of His Majesty and the Cabinet. The destruction of the 20th Division was a tragedy, but it was caused by Lieutenant General Kozuki Kiyoshi who disobeyed military orders and acted without authorization. Lieutenant General Hisao Nishio should also be held accountable for the responsibility.
Not me. The destruction of the Fifth Division was also a tragedy, but it happened under the command of Lieutenant General Kozuki Seiji. Does the Prime Minister still want to hold the deceased hero responsible for the death of Kogetsu Seiji? The destruction of the 107th Division is still a tragedy.
, that also happened under the command of King Xiang Yueqingji. You should go to him to hold him accountable. Besides, the sacrifice of the army is not unrewarded. Manchuria has been included in the pocket of the Japanese Empire, and the same is true for North China and Central China. Prime Minister, why
We only see the sacrificed soldiers, but not the grain, cotton, coal and various materials transported back to the Japanese Empire from Manchuria, North China, and Central China? If the Prime Minister is not satisfied with the performance of the North China Front, I can ask your Majesty to exempt him from the crime.
I will leave my post as commander of the North China Front Army. I am willing to return to China for training.
When Konoe Fumima heard this, Takashi Terauchi was here again, and he wanted to give up his job again. This guy had lost the battle and didn't want to have a caesarean section to apologize. He also thought about resigning and returning to his country. How could he think so beautifully?
Konoe Fumima then said: It is not impossible for a member of the Temple Cabinet to resign if he wants to, and it is not impossible for the Empire of Japan to send a commander of the North China Front. However, resignation is resignation, and accountability is accountability. We cannot just lose the battle and just surrender.
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At this time, Terauchi Hisashi felt that his face had been torn apart, and he became very angry: Mr. Prime Minister, the reason why the North China Front Army has suffered consecutive defeats in battles is related to the lack of support from the government. The armor of our tanks is too thin, and it is easily defeated by the Chinese army.
Destroyed by artillery fire. The number of our aircraft is too small and cannot meet the needs of covering infantry operations. When it comes to holding people accountable, I think we should first hold the army accountable for its poor equipment, and the cabinet should be held responsible for this.
Konoe Fumima also started: Okay, okay, okay, what you said is very good. Aren’t you going to resign? I will resign too. Your Majesty, I sincerely ask for your approval, the resignation of the general cabinet, and please re-elect the prime minister of the cabinet. I am responsible for
I can't bear this important responsibility.
This quarrel was so extreme that it was almost like a quarrel between street gangsters and thugs. Emperor Hirohito's head was pounding when he heard it. Prince Kanin Miyazaihito and Sugisugimoto were also about to join the battlefield. If the quarrel continued, it was very likely that they would be killed.
This would lead to Konoe Fumima quitting the job and the cabinet disintegrating. Emperor Hirohito coughed and stopped the quarrel between Konoe Fumima and Terauchi Hisashi.
During the war, the prime minister and the army general were quarreling in front of the emperor. How was it appropriate? Well, the war in Nanchang and Guangzhou must end as soon as possible. We must find a way to rescue the 33rd Division and ensure the safety of Jinan and Dezhou. The specific combat deployment is made by
The Chief of Staff, Prime Minister Lu, and the Commander of the North China Front Army will go and study it. I don’t want to hear the news of another division being destroyed. If necessary, the Kwantung Army’s fighter planes and troops can be dispatched to the border for emergency support. The Prime Minister stays, and I have other things to do.
I want to consult you.
This emergency summons ended in a hurry. Looking at the backs of Prince Kanin Palace Zaihito, Sugimoto Moto, and Terauchi Touhou, Emperor Hirohito felt that it was time to change the general.