There were two camps: the so-called "peace" camp favored a diplomatic initiative to persuade Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, to mediate a settlement between the Allies and Japan; and the hardliners who favored fighting one last "decisive" battle that would inflict so many casualties on the Allies that they would be willing to offer more lenient terms.
Der var to lejre: den såkaldte freds-lejr gik ind for et diplomatisk initiativ, som skulle overtale den sovjetiske diktator Stalin til at formidle en aftale mellem de allierede og Japan, og høgene, som gik ind for at udkæmpe et sidste slag, som ville påføre de allierede så store tab, at de allierede ville tilbyde mere lempelige vilkår.