What was the formal title of Hirohito’s recorded August 1945 surrender broadcast?

Hirohito’s recorded August 1945 surrender broadcast was the Imperial Rescript on the Termination of the War.

The recording was broadcast to the Japanese public at noon Japan Standard Time on 15 August 1945. It announced Japan’s acceptance of the terms imposed by the Allies, although the emperor did not use the simple phrase “Japan surrenders” in the text.

Many listeners found the message difficult to understand because it used formal, classical Japanese and the recording quality was poor. Radio announcers followed it with an explanation making clear that the government had accepted surrender.

The broadcast was recorded the previous day at the Imperial Palace. Hardline military officers attempted to stop it during the Kyūjō Incident, but the recording was hidden and preserved until it could be transmitted.