Gyokuon-hōsō is the traditional name of Hirohito’s recorded 15 August 1945 surrender broadcast.
The Japanese term is often translated as “Jewel Voice Broadcast,” a respectful reference to the emperor’s voice. Hirohito recorded the address on 14 August at the Imperial Palace, and the recording was transmitted shortly after noon on 15 August. It announced that Japan had accepted the Allied surrender terms.
The broadcast was historic because ordinary Japanese citizens had never previously heard the emperor speak publicly by radio. Its highly formal language, including classical expressions, made the meaning hard for many listeners to follow immediately. The recording was also nearly seized during an attempted military coup by officers who wanted to prevent surrender.
Gyokuon-hōsō refers to the broadcast itself, not to the formal surrender document or ceremony. Japan’s government had already communicated acceptance through diplomatic channels, while the public broadcast made the decision known nationwide. The legal surrender followed on USS Missouri on 2 September.