The extraordinary inside story of the most controversial decision in the history of modern warfare - the order to drop the atomic bomb. Drawn from first-hand accounts of those involved and declassified top secret American and Japanese documents from 1945, this documentary drama unfolds through the eyes of the two people at the centre of this world changing event - President Harry S. Truman and Showa Emperor Hirohito of Japan
Episode 1: THE NEW COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
April 1945 and the new president, Harry S. Truman, is briefed for the first time on the Manhattan Project - America's top secret operation to build an atomic bomb. And as allied forces advance across the Pacific, Emperor Hirohito fears it will only be a matter of time before Japan is defeated.
The Cast
Clifton Truman Daniel - President Harry S Truman
Sadao Ueda - Emperor Hirohito
Christopher Strauli - Secretary of War Henry Stimson
Mark Takeshi Ota - Lord Koichi Kido
Mike Grady - General Leslie Groves
Leo Ashizawa - Foreign Minister Shigenori Togo
Samuel Barnett - Dr J Robert Oppenheimer
Takatsuna Mukai - Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki
Jonathan Kydd - Dr Robert Stearns
Samuel Barnett - English Radio announcer
Takatsuna Mukai - Studio Engineer
Jonathan Kydd - American Radio Announcer.
The narrator is Lorelei King
The music is by Andy Street
The historian is Guy Walters
and historical observers were Kazuhiko and
Shigehiko Togo.
The President and the Emperor is written by
Guy Smith.
The director is Jonathan Kydd.
Produced by Ashley Byrne
Executive Producer is Kurt Brookes
Recorded at the Voices Sound Studio. Soho, London
A Made in Manchester production.
With thanks to:
The National Security Archive, Washington DChttps://nsarchive.gwu.edu
The Harry S Truman Library, Independence, MOhttps://www.trumanlibrary.gov
This drama has been made with the good will of everyone involved and not with huge funders behind it. If you would like to give something to the costs and to show your appreciation for all the work involved, please donate here https://buymeacoffee.com/presidentandemperor
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!