The Kyūjō Incident was the attempted military coup intended to stop Japan’s surrender announcement.
The coup attempt began late on August 14, 1945, after Japan’s leaders had decided to accept the Allied terms. Major Kenji Hatanaka and other Army officers opposed surrender and sought to seize the Imperial Palace, secure the emperor’s recorded message, and prevent it from reaching the radio audience.
The conspirators searched for the recording and tried to obtain support from senior commanders. Army Minister Korechika Anami did not join the coup, and other officers refused to support it. The plot collapsed during the morning of August 15, and the recording was broadcast at noon.
The incident is also called the Kyūjō coup or the Imperial Palace Incident. It is not the same as the February 26 Incident of 1936, an earlier failed revolt by Japanese Army officers.