True, it's very easy to look at what they did and cast condemnations. I've thought about this quite a lot, and when I was younger I couldn't even fathom attempting to justify it. I always wondered why they didn't just drop it off the coast or something to showcase what they could do.

Think about this though... it took *two* direct atomic bombings to get the emperor to surrender.

Not one. Two.

That means they saw the absolute devastation and annihilation of the first bomb, and said "nah, we're not phased, we're staying the course". There is no reasoning with that level of devotion.

What would be the next step then? An invasion, more war, more "conventional" bombings and dead civilians. WWII already killed tens of milllions, and it could have easily been much higher.

Not saying if I were in control I would have done the same thing with certainty, but I at least understand the reasoning now.