Emperor Hirohito’s recorded surrender broadcast is formally known as Gyokuon-hōsō, meaning “Jewel Voice Broadcast.”
Hirohito recorded the message on August 14, 1945, and it was broadcast at noon the next day. The recording was made after Japan’s leadership accepted the Potsdam Declaration, following intense debate among civilian and military officials.
The broadcast used highly formal court language and did not plainly say “surrender” in the everyday sense. Instead, it announced that Japan had decided to accept the Allied terms and urged the people to cooperate in building peace. Because the language was difficult for many listeners, some did not immediately understand that the war had ended.
The recording also became part of the dramatic final stage of the conflict. During the night before transmission, a group of army officers attempted to prevent the recording from being broadcast. Their coup failed, and the message reached the public as planned on August 15.