What was Hirohito's August 1945 surrender broadcast commonly called in Japan?

Hirohito's August 1945 surrender broadcast was commonly called Gyokuon-hōsō, meaning the “Jewel Voice Broadcast.”

The broadcast aired at noon on August 15, 1945, and carried the emperor's recorded reading of the Imperial Rescript on the Termination of the War. The Japanese term combines gyokuon, or “jewel voice,” with hōsō, meaning broadcast. The name reflects the special status traditionally attached to the emperor's voice.

Hirohito recorded the message twice during the night of August 14–15. The second recording became the official version, while the first was retained as a backup. Military officers opposed to surrender attempted to locate and destroy the records during a failed coup, but palace staff concealed them and delivered them safely to NHK.

The broadcast was difficult for many Japanese listeners to follow. It used formal classical Japanese rather than everyday speech, and the audio was faint. It also stated acceptance of the “joint declaration” rather than using a plain direct sentence announcing surrender, so an announcer clarified the meaning afterward.