Dropping the atomic bombs vs. an American invasion of Japan

[jokerman]

From a purely America-centric point of view, option 2 was quite the better option in the moment.

Hell, from a Japan-centric point of view it was the better option.

[jokerman]

Of course, I don't claim to be an expert. Are there any persuasive objections to a policy like this?

Suppose the bomb malfunctioned or didn't have its delcared effect.  The Japanese would have taken the whole affair as a bluff and it would have greatly compromised our credibility in further negotiations.

[jokerman]

More casualties of both, I'm sure.  An invasion would have required bombing of industrial capabilities en masse, not only killing more people but crippling the welfare of all people of Japan after the war.