The Kyūjō Incident was the failed coup attempt that tried to prevent Hirohito’s surrender broadcast in August 1945.
The attempted coup began late on 14 August 1945, when Army officers and soldiers opposed to surrender moved to occupy the Imperial Palace. Their goal was to isolate Emperor Hirohito, seize or destroy the recording of his address, and keep Japan fighting. Major Kenji Hatanaka was one of the leading figures in the plot.
The conspirators searched for the recording but did not find it. Palace officials had hidden the records, including one in a lacquer box and another in a lunch bag. The rebels also attempted to influence radio operations, but NHK staff resisted their efforts to broadcast a message urging continued war.
The plot collapsed during the early hours of 15 August. Hirohito’s recording reached NHK and was broadcast at noon. The incident is also called the Imperial Palace Incident. It demonstrates that Japan’s surrender decision faced serious opposition inside the military even after the emperor had intervened.