A reinterpretation of the history of the 20th century Japanese expansionism and Emperor Hirohito's role. He reveals the special relationship that was forged between the Emperor and General MacArthur and how their mutual respect and cooperation affected the rehabilitation of Japan. He tells how MacArthur personally intervened to urge that the Emperor's militant role remain a secret so that no trial as a war criminal would deprive MacArthur of the Emperor's extremely valuable influence in the recovery program and perhaps doom it to failure. The author points out how all major decisions in the course of the war were made by the Emperor, a fact carefully covered up by the one of the most skillful public relations campaigns in history directed by Lord Privy Seal Kido.