The attempted Japanese military coup that sought to stop the 1945 surrender broadcast was the Kyūjō Incident.
The Kyūjō Incident took place during the night of 14–15 August 1945, as Japan’s leaders prepared to announce acceptance of the Allied surrender terms. A group of Japanese Army officers opposed Emperor Hirohito’s decision and tried to prevent the recorded speech from reaching the public.
The plotters attempted to seize the Imperial Palace, locate and destroy the recording, and block communications with units that might resist them. They received support from some military personnel but failed to gain the backing needed to control Tokyo or the entire army. Palace officials concealed the recording, allowing it to survive the coup attempt.
Hirohito’s recording was broadcast at noon on 15 August. The conspirators’ failure ensured that the emperor’s announcement could be transmitted, although fighting and military resistance continued in some areas afterward. The incident is also called the Imperial Palace Incident. It should not be confused with the February 26 Incident of 1936, another attempted coup by Japanese army officers.