The purpose of the 1945 air raids over Japan was to weaken Japan’s capacity to continue the war.  In an effort to force a surrender, industrial infrastructure sites, transportation networks, and population centers were key targets. These raids were part of a broader strategic bombing campaign led by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), specifically focusing on the Japanese home islands after a successful island-hopping campaign brought U.S. forces within striking distance.

Here’s an overview of the goals and outcomes of these air raids:

1. Destruction of War Production and Resources: The raids primarily targeted Japan's factories, railroads, ports, and other industrial centers. Japan relied heavily on a few concentrated areas for war production.  As a result, these targets were selected to cripple its ability to manufacture weapons, ships, and aircraft.

2. Weakened Civilian and Military Morale: By targeting major cities like Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and Kobe, the raids were also intended to break the resolve of the Japanese population. Urban firebombing campaigns, particularly the infamous March 9-10 Tokyo raid, killed tens of thousands and left millions displaced, causing widespread suffering and shock within Japan.

3. Preparation for a Potential Invasion: Allied forces were planning an invasion of Japan (Operation Downfall) and anticipated fierce resistance. The air raids aimed to soften Japanese defenses by reducing supplies and exhausting Japan’s capacity to sustain large-scale military operations in the face of an Allied invasion.

4. Influence on Japan’s Decision to Surrender: The intense bombing campaigns, combined with the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, created mounting pressure on the Japanese government. The combination of these factors ultimately contributed to Japan’s decision to surrender on August 15, 1945, thus bringing World War II to an end.