Emperor Hirohito's 1945 radio broadcast announcing Japan's surrender is called Gyokuon-hōsō.
The Japanese term is commonly translated as “Jewel Voice Broadcast.” Hirohito recorded the speech at the Imperial Palace on 14 August 1945, and it was transmitted to the public at noon on 15 August. The recording used highly formal language and did not plainly say “surrender” in the modern conversational sense, so many listeners needed explanations from officials or newspapers.
The broadcast followed a difficult decision by Japan's leadership to accept the Potsdam Declaration. Some army officers opposed the decision and attempted to seize the palace and locate the recording before it could air. Their coup failed, allowing the broadcast to proceed.
Gyokuon-hōsō refers specifically to the emperor's radio address, not to the later signing ceremony aboard USS Missouri. The distinction helps separate the public announcement on 15 August from the legal surrender ceremony on 2 September.