S3·E36 Hirohito

He was the last Japanese ruler to uphold the Shinto idea of imperial divinity. His rule saw his nation transformed from an ancient society to a modern powerhouse and ravaged by war. Emperor Hirohito ruled for over 60 years. He led his nation into a devastating war, but oversaw its rebirth as well. BIOGRAPHY traces the long life of this remarkable figure through expert interviews and extensive archival footage. Follow the young prince to Europe in his 1921 the first Japanese prince to leave his homeland, and see footage of his coronation as emperor and proclamation of divinity in 1926. Trace the elements that led his nation into war, and learn how he eventually accepted defeat and allowed his beloved nation to be steered toward the future. And see remarkable interviews with confidantes and those who knew him. Biography explores the life of the emperor whose dramatic life mirrored the transformation of his nation.