Fortunes of War Read Free

emperor fought to maintain his composure. “Russia has nuclear weapons, which the Russians might use to defend themselves. Have you the right to risk the very life of this nation?”
    â€œWe are in a grave crisis, Your Excellency.”
    â€œDon’t patronize me, Prime Minister.”
    Abe bowed. When he straightened, he said, “Forgive me, Excellency. The fact you do not know is that Japan also is a nuclear power. I am convinced that Russia will not risk nuclear war to retain a wasteland that has never earned her a single yen of profit.”
    The emperor sat stunned. “Japan has nuclear weapons?” he whispered.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œHow? How were these weapons developed and manufactured?”
    â€œWith the greatest secrecy. Obviously.” The manufacture of these weapons was Abe’s greatest triumph, a program reluctantly agreed to by politicians watching their world collapse, then accomplished under a security blanket worthy of Joseph Stalin.
    â€œThe government did this without the consent of the Diet? Without the knowledge and consent of the Japanese people? In violation of the constitution and the laws?”
    Abe merely bowed his head.
    â€œWhat if you are wrong about Russia?” the emperor demanded. “Answer me that. What if Russia retaliates with nuclear weapons?”
    â€œThe risk is as great for Russia as it is for Japan, and Russia has less at stake.”
    â€œThey may not see the equation as you do, Prime Minister.”
    Abe said nothing.
    The emperor was too astonished to go further. The man is mad, he thought. The prime minister has gone completely mad.
    After a bit, the emperor recovered his voice sufficiently to ask, “What do you suggest I tell the president of the United States in answer to his letter?”
    Abe made an irritated gesture. “Ignore it. No answer is necessary, Your Excellency. The president does not know his place.”
    Naruhito shook his head ponderously from side to side. “My grandfather, Hirohito, received a letter from President Roosevelt on the eve of World War Two, pleading for peace. Hirohito did not answer that letter. He refused to intervene with the government. All my life, I have wondered how history might have been different had my grandfather spoken up for what he believed.”
    â€œEmperor Hirohito believed that the government was acting in the nation’s best interests.”
    â€œPerhaps he did. I am not convinced that your government is now.”
    Abe shook himself. He had come too far, endured too much. He faced the emperor like a sumo wrestler. “The government must speak for you, and the nation, which are the same. That is the law.”
    â€œDo not speak to me of law. Not after what you have told me.”
    Abe pounded his chest. “You reign, I rule . That is the Japanese way.”
    Abe took several deep breaths to compose himself. “If you will give me a copy of the letter, I will have the foreign minister prepare a reply.”
    The emperor didn’t seem to hear. He continued, thinking aloud: “In this era of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, war is obsolete.It is no longer a viable political option. The nation that plunges headlong into war in the twenty-first century will, I fear, merely be committing national suicide. Death , sir, is most definitely not Japan’s destiny. Death is final and eternal, whether it comes slowly, from natural causes, or swiftly, in a spectacular blaze of glory. Life , sir, must be our business. Life is our concern.”
    Before Abe could think of a polite reply, the emperor added softly, “You carry a very heavy burden, Prime Minister. You carry the hopes and dreams of every Japanese alive today and those of our honored ancestors. You literally carry Japan upon your back.”
    â€œYour Excellency, I am aware of my responsibilities,” Atsuko Abe retorted, as politely as he could. He struggled to keep a grip on his