The great majority of those who died, caught in the infernos caused by the firebombings, were largely those unable to contribute to the war effort on the front lines: women, children, the elderly and disabled. Most healthy young men had been drafted long before.

So...no, the firebombings were completely unnecessary. By the day of the first firebombing raid, Japan was no threat at all to America or American sovereignty. The *only* reason it was necessary in the opinions of those in charge was because we were trapped by our own demand for an unconditional surrender, something that the Japanese High Command could not allow themselves to consider.