What was the name of the failed Japanese coup attempt on August 14–15, 1945?
Answer
Kyūjō Incident
The failed Japanese coup attempt on August 14–15, 1945, was called the Kyūjō Incident.
The plot was organized by military officers who wanted to prevent Emperor Hirohito’s surrender announcement. They attempted to occupy the Imperial Palace, place the emperor under effective house arrest, and destroy the recording of his speech.
Major Kenji Hatanaka was a leading figure in the operation. The rebels killed Lieutenant General Takeshi Mori of the Imperial Guards Division and tried to obtain a forged order authorizing their occupation of the palace. They failed to win the support of senior army commanders.
The coup collapsed before the broadcast could be stopped. The surrender recording was hidden and moved safely to NHK, allowing it to air at noon on August 15. The incident shows that Japan’s surrender decision faced intense opposition even after the emperor had chosen to accept Allied terms.