Emperor Hirohito was the symbol of state power in Japan during World War II. He was seen as a divine figure, and his authority was used to mobilize the Japanese people in support of the war effort. The emperor's involvement in the war, however, continues to be a controversial topic, as he was widely criticized for not doing more to prevent the atrocities committed by the Japanese military during the conflict. After Japan's surrender in 1945, Hirohito renounced his divine status and publicly stated that he was not responsible for the actions of the military during the war.
