Emperor Hirohito announced Japan’s acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration in a radio broadcast on 15 August 1945.
The broadcast is commonly called the Gyokuon-hōsō, or “Jewel Voice Broadcast.” It was recorded at the Imperial Palace on 14 August and transmitted by NHK at noon Japan Standard Time the next day. For most Japanese listeners, it was the first time they had heard the emperor’s voice.
Hirohito used formal classical Japanese and did not plainly say, in ordinary modern wording, that Japan had surrendered. Instead, he stated that Japan would accept the terms of the Allied declaration. The unfamiliar language and poor radio sound caused confusion among some listeners.
The broadcast came after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Soviet declaration of war against Japan. It publicly confirmed the decision that was later formalized by signatures aboard USS Missouri on 2 September.