Heavenly

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 his bemedaled uniform, symbolizing Imperial support of the war (TIME, Jan. 10).

In 1943, Hirohito granted 189 audiences to Cabinet ministers, assisted at 45 promotion ceremonies for generals and admirals, signed 9,500 documents, made many visits to military training schools, reviewed dozens of military parades.

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