Emperor Hirohito's surrender broadcast was transmitted to Japan at noon on August 15, 1945.
The broadcast was carried by the Japan Broadcasting Corporation, known as NHK, at 12:00 p.m. Japan Standard Time. It featured a recording made the previous night inside the Imperial Palace, rather than a live address. This was the first known time that the Japanese public heard the emperor's voice.
Hirohito did not use a simple phrase such as “Japan surrenders.” Instead, he announced that Japan had accepted the terms of the Allied declaration. The classical language, unfamiliar pronunciation, and limited sound quality made the meaning difficult for many listeners, so an announcer clarified the message afterward.
The noon broadcast date is commonly called V-J Day in some countries, while September 2 is the date of the formal signing. These labels reflect two separate milestones in Japan's surrender process.