What was the title of the document Emperor Hirohito read during Japan's August 15, 1945, radio broadcast?

Emperor Hirohito read the Imperial Rescript on the Termination of the War during Japan's August 15, 1945, radio broadcast.

The recorded address announced that Japan accepted the terms of the Potsdam Declaration. It was broadcast at noon Japan Standard Time and became known as the Gyokuon-hoso, or “Jewel Voice Broadcast,” because it was the first time most Japanese people had heard the emperor's voice.

The rescript did not use a simple modern phrase such as “Japan surrenders.” Its formal language referred to accepting the Allied declaration and ending the war. The recording was difficult for many listeners to understand because Hirohito used classical, highly formal Japanese and the audio quality was poor.

This broadcast should not be confused with the Japanese Instrument of Surrender. The rescript announced the decision; the instrument was the legal document signed aboard USS Missouri on September 2. That distinction explains why August 15 and September 2 are both associated with V-J Day.