Hirohito delivered the recorded radio address announcing Japan’s acceptance of the Allied surrender terms.
Hirohito, Japan’s emperor from 1926 to 1989, recorded the speech inside the Imperial Palace on 14 August 1945. It was broadcast at noon on 15 August, becoming known as the Jewel Voice Broadcast. The address announced acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration after the atomic bombings and the Soviet Union’s entry into the war.
The emperor did not use a simple phrase such as “we surrender.” Instead, he said that Japan had decided to accept the terms of the joint declaration. The speech was delivered in formal classical Japanese, which was difficult for many ordinary listeners to follow. Its indirect language reflected the courtly style of the imperial rescript.
The broadcast was historically significant because it was the first time the Japanese public had generally heard the emperor’s voice. A failed military coup had attempted to prevent the transmission, but the recording survived and reached the nation.
Hirohito later remained emperor during the Allied occupation. The official surrender ceremony took place on 2 September 1945 aboard USS Missouri.