What was the first time Emperor Hirohito was heard by Japan's public?

Emperor Hirohito was first heard by Japan's public in his surrender radio broadcast on August 15, 1945. The transmission carried a recorded Imperial Rescript announcing acceptance of the Allied terms.

Japanese emperors had traditionally been separated from ordinary public life by court customs and restricted access. Hirohito's voice therefore had unusual impact when it reached homes across Japan. The broadcast was recorded the previous day at the Imperial Palace and transmitted at noon.

The speech was not written in everyday Japanese. Its formal language and indirect wording meant that some listeners did not immediately recognize that it announced surrender. The message referred to the war's course and the use of a new bomb while presenting the decision as an effort to save humanity from further destruction.