What is the common English name for Hirohito’s 15 August 1945 surrender address?

The common English name for Hirohito’s 15 August 1945 surrender address is the Jewel Voice Broadcast. The term translates the Japanese expression Gyokuon-hōsō, which refers respectfully to the emperor’s voice.

The broadcast was a recording rather than a live address. Hirohito recorded the rescript at the Imperial Palace on 14 August, and NHK transmitted it to the Japanese public at noon the next day. The recording survived an attempted military coup by officers who wanted to prevent its transmission.

The speech announced acceptance of the Allied declaration but used formal language that was unfamiliar to many listeners. Because Hirohito had never before addressed ordinary Japanese people by radio, hearing his voice was itself a major historical event.