ancientaviator62,
I don't know the provenance of this source, but it was certainly my understanding that the POWs were to be killed if allied forces landed on the main islands of Japan.
Taiwan Documents - Order to flee, Order to kill all POWs
I undestand both sides of the argument and, as horrible as the use of the atom bomb was, I believe less people (Japanese included) died as a result than would have been the case had conventional weapons been used.
And please, everyone, don't attack me because I expressed that view. I am no supporter of nuclear weapons (quite the reverse), but perhaps they did end WW2 with less slaughter and perhaps they also saved us from WW3.