On what date did Emperor Hirohito's surrender announcement reach Japan's public in 1945?

Emperor Hirohito's surrender announcement reached Japan's public on August 15, 1945.

The recorded speech, formally called the Imperial Rescript on the Termination of the War, announced Japan's acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration. It was broadcast shortly after noon in Japan Standard Time. Many listeners had never heard the emperor's voice before.

The announcement followed days of crisis inside Japan's government. Hiroshima had been bombed on August 6, the Soviet Union entered the war against Japan on August 9, and Nagasaki was bombed that same day. Japanese leaders debated whether to accept the Allied terms, with Emperor Hirohito ultimately supporting surrender.

August 15 is commonly observed as V-J Day in Japan and several other countries. The United States announced Japan's surrender on August 14 because of the time difference, while the formal surrender ceremony did not occur until September 2 aboard USS Missouri.