At what time was Emperor Hirohito's surrender announcement broadcast in Japan?
Answer
Noon Japan Standard Time
Emperor Hirohito's surrender announcement was broadcast at noon Japan Standard Time on August 15, 1945.
The broadcast was a recording of the emperor reading the Imperial Rescript on the Termination of the War. It announced that Japan had accepted the terms of the Potsdam Declaration, although the formal surrender documents would not be signed until September 2. For many Japanese listeners, it was the first time they had ever heard the emperor's voice.
The speech used highly formal Classical Japanese and referred indirectly to the surrender. Poor audio quality also made it difficult for many listeners to understand immediately. A radio announcer clarified afterward that the message meant Japan was surrendering.
The recording was made inside the Imperial Palace late on August 14. A failed military coup attempt sought to prevent its broadcast, but the recording was hidden and safely delivered to NHK. The broadcast lasted only a few minutes, yet it marked a decisive public turning point in Japan's history.