Kantarō Suzuki was Japan’s prime minister when Emperor Hirohito decided that Japan should accept the Allied surrender terms in August 1945.
Suzuki led Japan’s government during the final crisis of the Pacific War. After the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, the Soviet declaration of war, and the bombing of Nagasaki, Hirohito pressed the government to accept the terms set out in the Potsdam Declaration. On the night of 9–10 August, the emperor communicated his decision to Suzuki and his administration.
The decision was not immediately unanimous. Senior military leaders resisted surrender and demanded conditions, especially concerning the emperor’s position. The Supreme Council for the Direction of the War became deadlocked, requiring Hirohito to intervene directly and break the tie in favor of accepting the Allied terms.
Suzuki resigned after the surrender crisis. Prince Naruhiko Higashikuni became prime minister on 17 August 1945, so he was not the prime minister during the key decision to accept the terms or during Hirohito’s initial surrender broadcast.