Part 2/8:
The first pivotal moment occurred when the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Just two days later, the situation deteriorated further for Japan when Soviet forces, comprising 1.5 million troops, invaded Manchuria. This invasion was emblematic of the nightmare scenario for the Japanese military, who feared an impending Russian advance that threatened to split Japan and propagate chaos.
Then, as if compounding their plight, the U.S. dropped a second atomic bomb. Though this act was partially a bluff—given the limited supply of atomic bombs—the psychological impact it had on Japan was profound. The Japanese leadership, realizing they could not withstand such onslaughts indefinitely, reached a breaking point.