What was the first time Hirohito had spoken directly to the Japanese public?

The Gyokuon-hōsō was the first time Hirohito had spoken directly to the Japanese public.

Before August 15, 1945, ordinary Japanese people had not heard the emperor’s voice on radio. His recorded surrender message therefore had enormous symbolic importance, even though many listeners struggled to understand it.

Hirohito spoke in formal court language rather than everyday Japanese. He announced that the government had accepted the Allied declaration and referred to the destructive power of the new atomic bomb. He did not use a plain sentence such as “I surrender,” which caused some confusion among listeners.

The broadcast followed the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, the Soviet declaration of war against Japan, and the bombing of Nagasaki. It was also nearly prevented by the Kyūjō Incident, when army officers attempted to seize the palace and destroy the recording. The preserved recording became known as Gyokuon-hōsō, or “Jewel Voice Broadcast.”