Hirohito: The Showa Emperor in War and Peace

In his extended Foreword as editor, referring to the nature of Hirohito's power, Jansen states: 'We are left with puzzles that will probably never be resolved.

Clearly, as Professor Hata and others have shown, the Emperor Hirohito had immense power, but the condition of retaining it was judicious restraint in exercising it.' In offering a view on the merits of Chiba's research, Jansen points to the hitherto unknown plots (in parallel but unrelated) by the army and navy to preserve, and if necessary resuscitate, the Imperial line in the event the victors decided to depose Hirohito.

He also points to the merits of Chiba's particular focus on the contribution Hirohito made to Japan in its post-war relations with the United States.

Jansen added substantive notes to help place the author's material in historical and histiographical perspective.

The author is Professor of Modern History, Chiba University, and regarded as a leading historian of contemporary Japan.