I don't think there was a line that have been crossed as it was born out of necessity
The Japanese were not only fanatical fighters, but in general would not surrender. Moreover,, the Kamikaze attacks shocked the Americans even more because of their willingness to crash into their ships. It was a bloody fight for the US all the way to Okinawa. If they were to invade the Japanese mainland, they can expect much more of that.
It is because of that, the government sought for weapons that can end the war quickly