U.S. mulled using emperor in wartime propaganda
The Japan Times: Nov. 8, 2004
U.S. psychological warfare experts intended to use the emperor as a "symbol of peace" in propaganda warfare in June 1942....
....The plan said in a "special and cautionary suggestion" that the emperor, who was the focus of national worship in Japan, is a symbol "honored as are national flags in the West -- which can be used to justify political and military action."
"It is possible to use the emperor symbol (not his name) in justifying criticism of the military authority and in strengthening the case for a return to peace," the plan said.
"If this is done, it will also have the partial effect of causing widespread skepticism about the godhood and infallibility of the emperor, which in itself will damage the political stability of Japan," it said.
