The U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, on November 29, 1945, ordered MacArthur to gather information regarding whether the Emperor had committed any war crimes. In response to this, MacArthur sent a telegram dated January 25, 1946 reporting that there was no evidence of the Emperor having committed any war crimes. In addition to this, MacArthur stated that charging the Emperor would cause confusion in the situation in Japan thus requiring a longer occupation with increased military and civilian personnel. He made it clear that he would prefer not to charge the Emperor in consideration of the burden such action would create for the United States.
| Actual Title of Source | Incoming Classified Message From: CINCAFPAC Adv Tokyo, Japan To: War Department |
|---|---|
| Date | 25 January, 1946 |
| Document Number | State Department Records Decimal File, 1945-1949"894.001 HIROHITO/1-2546"<Sheet No. SDDF (B)00065> |
| Repository (reproduction) | National Diet Library |
| Repository | U.S. National Archives & Records Administration (RG59) |
| Note | Microfiche |
