What was the Japanese name of Emperor Hirohito’s August 15 surrender broadcast?

The Japanese name of Emperor Hirohito’s August 15 surrender broadcast was Gyokuon-hōsō.

The Japanese term literally refers to a broadcast of the emperor’s voice and is commonly translated as “Jewel Voice Broadcast.” Hirohito’s message was recorded at the Imperial Palace on August 14 and transmitted at noon on August 15, 1945, through NHK.

The address announced acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration, although it used formal language rather than a simple statement that Japan had surrendered. Many listeners were unfamiliar with the courtly Japanese style, and the recording’s limited audio quality made the meaning even harder to follow.

The broadcast has special historical importance because it was the first time the Japanese emperor spoke directly to the general population by radio. It is also distinct from the September 2 surrender ceremony: Gyokuon-hōsō communicated the decision, while the later signing created the formal surrender record.