German correspondents in Tokyo cabled a close-up view of one of the war's rarely seen, little-known figures: Hirohito, Japan's 124th Tenno ("Heavenly King").
Since Pearl Harbor, the Emperor has all but abandoned sessions with the Privy Council (Inner Cabinet); now he confers constantly with top-rank military leaders, attends all meetings at the Imperial Military Staff Headquarters. The Japanese press has recorded his strict orders that he be awakened at any hour of the night to hear important political or military news. At daily religious ceremonies, he wears the traditional silken robes. But at all other times, he wears...
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