I agree the outcome was clear. And this was a feudal system with an Emperor, and a culture of extreme adherence to culture. As in, Kamikazis because ordered,

I agree the outcome was clear. And this was a feudal system with an Emperor, and a culture of extreme adherence to culture. As in, Kamikazis because ordered, honour in death, or killing yourself with your own sword. Not really a culture of capitulation. Most of their cities were already firebombed, as you elude to, some more than once, yet there was still no surrender. Without surrender, a country isn't really done. Leave it be, and they'll arm and rebuild, still at war with you. Invade, and your troops die, for a standing army still existed. Japan also had colonies, islands, resources. And of course without surrender, even if you occupy, now you have insurgents. It's hard to view the world through the eyes of even 80 years ago. War weary, endless soldiers lost already, an unsurrendering Japan, and a way to put an end to it...