What was the name commonly given to Hirohito’s August 15, 1945 radio broadcast announcing Japan’s surrender?

Jewel Voice Broadcast is the common English name for Hirohito’s August 15, 1945 radio broadcast announcing Japan’s surrender.

The broadcast was formally the Imperial Rescript on the Termination of the War. Hirohito’s recorded message was transmitted by Japan’s national broadcaster, NHK, at noon Japan Standard Time. It was the first time most Japanese civilians had heard the emperor’s voice.

The Japanese text used formal classical language and did not plainly say “surrender.” Instead, Hirohito stated that Japan had accepted the terms of the Allied declaration. Poor sound quality and unfamiliar court language made the message difficult for many listeners to understand, so an announcer clarified its meaning afterward.

The recording had been made the previous night inside the Imperial Palace. Officers opposed to surrender attempted to prevent its broadcast during the Kyūjō incident, but the recording was hidden and successfully delivered to NHK.