# Hirohito surrender broadcast

The Hirohito surrender broadcast, occasionally mistranslated as Jewel Voice Broadcast (Japanese: 玉音放送, romanized: Gyokuon-hōsō, lit. 'Broadcast of the Emperor's Voice'), was a radio broadcast of surrender given by Hirohito, the emperor of Japan, on August 15, 1945.
It announced to the Japanese people that the Japanese government had accepted the Potsdam Declaration, which demanded the unconditional surrender of the Japanese military at the end of World War II. Following the Hiroshima bombing on August 6, and the Soviet declaration of war and Nagasaki bombing on August 9, the Emperor's speech was broadcast at noon Japan Standard Time on August 15, 1945, and referred to the atomic bombs as a reason for the surrender.
The speech is the first known instance of a Japanese emperor speaking to the common people (albeit via a phonograph record). It was delivered in formal Classical Japanese, with much pronunciation unfamiliar to ordinary Japanese. The speech made no direct reference to a surrender of Japan, instead stating that the government had been instructed to accept the "joint declaration" (the Potsdam Declaration) of the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and the Soviet Union. This confused many listeners not familiar with the declaration about whether Japan had actually surrendered. Both the poor audio quality of the radio broadcast and the formal courtly language worsened the confusion.

## Recording

The speech was not broadcast directly, but replayed from a phonograph recording. On August 14, 1945, the NHK dispatched sound technicians to the Imperial Palace to record the broadcast. Microphones were set up in an office bunker under the Imperial Household Ministry, and Emperor Hirohito proceeded in between 11:25 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. During the first recording he spoke too softly, and upon the advice of the technicians, offered to rerecord it. On the second attempt, his voice was considered too high-pitched, with occasional characters being skipped. Nevertheless, the second version was deemed the official one, with the first serving as a backup.

## Broadcast

Many elements of the Imperial Japanese Army refused to accept that Hirohito was going to end the war, believing it dishonourable. As many as 1,000 officers and army soldiers raided the Imperial Palace on the evening of August 14, 1945 to destroy the recording. The rebels were confused by the layout of the palace and unable to find the recordings, which had been hidden in a pile of documents. The two phonographs were labelled original and copy and successfully smuggled out of the palace, the original in a lacquer box and the copy in a lunch bag. Major Kenji Hatanaka attempted to halt the broadcast at the NHK station, but was ordered to desist by the Eastern District Army.
On the morning of August 15, 1945, all NHK stations announced that the Emperor would address the nation at noon. Many people wore formal clothes for the occasion. At precisely noon that day, an NHK announcer instructed the nation to stand for an announcement "of the highest importance." The national anthem, ‹See RfD› Kimigayo, was played, followed by the Emperor's speech.$^{:160}$ Reportedly, this was the first time that common Japanese had heard the voice of any Japanese Emperor and the first radio address by the Emperor.
To ease the anticipated confusion, after the conclusion of the speech, a radio announcer clarified that the Emperor's message had meant that Japan was surrendering. According to French journalist Robert Guillain, who then lived in Tokyo, upon the announcement's conclusion, most Japanese retreated to their homes or places of business for several hours to quietly absorb and contemplate the significance of the announcement. A digitally remastered version of the broadcast was released in June 2015.

## Content

Though the word "surrender" was not explicitly stated, Emperor Hirohito instructed Prime Minister Kantarō Suzuki and his administration to communicate to the Allies that the "Empire accepts the provisions of their joint declaration", which amounted to an acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration. He justified Japan's decision to go to war as an act of "self-preservation and the stabilization of East Asia" and referenced the setbacks and defeats of recent years, saying "the war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan's advantage". He mentioned the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that had occurred days earlier, calling the atomic bomb a "new and most cruel bomb". The Emperor ended with a call on the Japanese people "to be devoted to construction for the future".
The broadcast was translated into English and broadcast internationally by radio presenter Tadaichi Hirakawa at the same time. In the U.S., the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recorded the broadcast, and its entire text appeared in The New York Times.

## Full text
### Original text

   御名御璽 昭和二十年八月󠄁十四日 內閣總理大臣男爵󠄂鈴木貫太郞
The above can be literally translated into English as follows:
   I have considered deeply the general trends of the world and the current situation of the Empire, and I have decided to take extraordinary measures to bring the current state of affairs to an end. I hereby inform my loyal and devoted subjects.
   I have commanded the Imperial Government to communicate to the governments of the United States, Great Britain, China, and the Soviet Union that the Empire accepts the terms of their Joint Declaration.
   To strive for the well-being of my subjects and to share in the prosperity and happiness of all nations has been the solemn duty passed down from my Imperial ancestors and the guiding principle that I have upheld. Indeed, my decision to declare war on the United States and Britain was made with the sincere intention of ensuring the Empire’s self-preservation and the stability of East Asia. It was never my desire to infringe upon the sovereignty of other nations or to expand our territory.
   However, after four years of war, despite the valiant efforts of our land and naval forces, the diligence of our government officials, and the devoted service of our hundred million subjects, the war situation has not necessarily turned in Japan’s favor. Moreover, the general trends of the world have not been advantageous to us.
   Furthermore, the enemy has begun to employ a new and cruel bomb, causing immense and indiscriminate destruction, the extent of which is beyond all estimation. Should we continue to fight, not only would it result in the ultimate collapse and obliteration of the Japanese nation, but it would also lead to the total extinction of human civilization.
   How, then, am I to protect the millions of my subjects and atone before the spirits of my Imperial ancestors?
   This is why I have ordered the Empire to accept the terms of the Joint Declaration.
   I cannot but express my deepest regret to our allied nations who have consistently cooperated with the Empire in its efforts to liberate East Asia.
   To my loyal subjects who have fallen in battle, those who have devoted themselves to their duties, and the families who have suffered unbearable losses, my heart is filled with sorrow.
   Furthermore, I deeply sympathize with those who have been wounded in battle, suffered hardship, or lost their homes and livelihoods due to the war.
   The trials and suffering that the Empire must endure from now on will indeed be great. I fully understand the anguish of my people. However, in accordance with the dictates of fate, I must bear the unbearable and endure the unendurable in order to pave the way for peace for all future generations.
   By protecting and preserving the national polity, I trust in the sincerity and loyalty of my subjects and will always remain with them.
   However, should emotions run high and lead to rash actions, if fellow citizens turn against each other, disrupt the order of society, or tarnish the nation's honor by violating international trust, I would be profoundly saddened.
   I urge you, my subjects, to unite as one family, pass on our unshakable faith in the eternal destiny of our homeland to future generations, devote your efforts to rebuilding the nation, uphold moral integrity, strengthen your will, and strive to enhance the national character, ensuring that Japan does not fall behind in the progress of the world.
   Understand well my intentions and act accordingly.
   Sealed with the Imperial Sign and Seal August 14, 1945
   Prime Minister Baron Kantarō Suzuki

### Official English translation

Hirakawa's English translation reads as follows:
   TO OUR GOOD AND LOYAL SUBJECTS,
   After pondering deeply the general trends of the world and the actual conditions obtaining in our empire today, we have decided to effect a settlement of the present situation by resorting to an extraordinary measure.
   We have ordered our government to communicate to the governments of the United States, Great Britain, China and the Soviet Union that our empire accepts the provisions of their joint declaration.
   To strive for the common prosperity and happiness of all nations as well as the security and well-being of our subjects is the solemn obligation which has been handed down by our imperial ancestors and which lies close to our heart.
   Indeed, we declared war on America and Britain out of our sincere desire to ensure Japan's self-preservation and the stabilization of East Asia, it being far from our thought either to infringe upon the sovereignty of other nations or to embark upon territorial aggrandizement.
   But now the war has lasted for nearly four years. Despite the best that has been done by everyone – the gallant fighting of the military and naval forces, the diligence and assiduity of our servants of the state, and the devoted service of our one hundred million people – the war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan's advantage, while the general trends of the world have all turned against her interest.
   Moreover, the enemy has begun to employ a new and most cruel bomb, the power of which to do damage is, indeed, incalculable, taking the toll of many innocent lives. Should we continue to fight, not only would it result in an ultimate collapse and obliteration of the Japanese nation, but also it would lead to the total extinction of human civilization.
   Such being the case, how are we to save the millions of our subjects, or to atone ourselves before the hallowed spirits of our imperial ancestors? This is the reason why we have ordered the acceptance of the provisions of the joint declaration of the powers.
   We cannot but express the deepest sense of regret to our allied nations of East Asia, who have consistently cooperated with the Empire towards the emancipation of East Asia.
   The thought of those officers and men as well as others who have fallen in the fields of battle, those who died at their posts of duty, or those who met with untimely death and all their bereaved families, pains our heart night and day.
   The welfare of the wounded and the war-sufferers, and of those who have lost their homes and livelihood, are the objects of our profound solicitude.
   The hardships and sufferings to which our nation is to be subjected hereafter will be certainly great. We are keenly aware of the inmost feelings of all of you, our subjects. However, it is according to the dictates of time and fate that We have resolved to pave the way for a grand peace for all the generations to come by enduring the unendurable and suffering what is insufferable.
   Having been able to safeguard and maintain the ‹See RfD› Kokutai, We are always with you, our good and loyal subjects, relying upon your sincerity and integrity.
   Beware most strictly of any outbursts of emotion which may engender needless complications, or any fraternal contention and strife which may create confusion, lead you astray and cause you to lose the confidence of the world.
   Let the entire nation continue as one family from generation to generation, ever firm in its faith in the imperishability of its sacred land, and mindful of its heavy burden of responsibility, and of the long road before it.
   Unite your total strength, to be devoted to construction for the future. Cultivate the ways of rectitude, foster nobility of spirit, and work with resolution – so that you may enhance the innate glory of the imperial state and keep pace with the progress of the world.
   Tokyo, August 14, 1945 (20th year of Shōwa)

## Media releases

* Komori, Yōichi (August 2003). 天皇の玉音放送 [The Emperor's Voice Broadcast] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Gogatsu Shobō. ISBN 978-477270394-9. Book includes a CD.
* Kawakami, Kazuhisa (June 30, 2015). 昭和天皇 玉音放送 [Shōwa Emperor's Voice Broadcast] (in Japanese). Tokyo, Japan: Asa Shuppan. ISBN 978-486063799-6. Book includes a CD.