Hirohito's recorded surrender address began at 12:00 noon Japan Standard Time on August 15, 1945.
The Japan Broadcasting Corporation, or NHK, announced beforehand that the emperor would speak at noon. The recording was played nationally after the Japanese anthem. Because Hirohito spoke in formal classical Japanese and the recording quality was poor, many listeners did not immediately grasp that the speech announced Japan's acceptance of the Allied surrender terms.
The address had been recorded late on August 14 at the Imperial Palace. Hirohito made two recordings, with the second version selected for broadcast. Hard-line army officers attempted to prevent the message from being transmitted during the Kyūjō incident, but the recordings were hidden and safely delivered to the radio station.
Noon in Japan corresponded to the evening of August 14 in much of North America. This difference helps explain why some American references use August 14 for V-J Day, while Japan and many other countries commemorate the announcement on August 15.