70
years ago on this date, August 15, 1945, Emperor Hirohito, broadcasts the news
of Japan’s surrender to the Japanese people. I will post the information about
this event from Wikipedia.
 |
Emperor Hirohito and General MacArthur, at their first meeting, at the U.S.
Embassy, Tokyo, 27 September, 1945
|
 |
Imperial rescript from Japanese Emporer
Hirohito ordering Japan's capitulation and end to World War II. Written on 14
August and announced on 15 August, 1945.
|
The
speech was probably the first time that an Emperor of Japan had spoken (albeit via a phonograph record) to the common people. It
was delivered in the formal, classical
Japanese that few ordinary people could easily understand. It made
no direct reference to a surrender of Japan,
instead stating that the government had been instructed to accept the terms of
the Potsdam Declaration
fully. This created confusion in the minds of many listeners who were not sure
if Japan had surrendered. The poor audio quality of the radio broadcast, as
well as the formal courtly language in which the speech was composed, worsened
the confusion. A digitally remastered version of the broadcast was released on 1
August 2015.
Broadcast
The
speech was not broadcast directly, but was replayed from a phonograph recording made in the Tokyo Imperial
Palace on either August 13 or 14, 1945. Many elements of the Imperial Japanese
Army were extremely opposed to the idea that Hirohito was going to
end the war, as they believed that this was dishonourable. Consequently, as many as one
thousand officers raided the Imperial
palace on the evening of August 14 to destroy the recording. The
rebels were confused by the layout of the Imperial palace and were unable to
find the recording, which had been hidden in a pile of documents. The recording
was successfully smuggled out of the palace in a laundry basket of women's underwear and
broadcast the following day, although another attempt was made to stop it from
being played at the radio station.
To
ease the anticipated confusion, at the conclusion of the speech a radio
announcer clarified that the Emperor's message did mean that Japan was
surrendering. According to French journalist Robert Guillain, who was living in Tokyo at
the time, upon the announcement's conclusion, most Japanese retreated into
their homes or places of business for several hours to quietly absorb and
contemplate the significance of the announcement.
After
the recording was played, the record used for playing it disappeared in the
post-surrender chaos, but a radio technician had secretly made a copy, which
was given to Occupation authorities and is the source of all recordings
available today. The original record was later recovered but has never again
been played.
Content
The
rescript was translated into English by Tadaichi Hirakawa and was broadcast to
overseas Allies at the same time. In the U.S., the Federal Communication
Commission recorded the broadcast, and its entire text appeared in The New York
Times.
The
main subject of the speech was to announce the surrender of Japan, that
Hirohito "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."
In
the speech, Hirohito noted that the war arose out of "our sincere desire
to ensure Japan's self-preservation and the stabilization of East Asia
[…]", but "the war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan's
advantage". He then stated, "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", referring to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that
occurred days before. He, however, never mentioned the Soviet
invasion of Manchuria that had also begun a few days before.
Finally, and most famously, he said: "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."
Full
text
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
unsufferable.
Having been able to safeguard and maintain the structure of the
Imperial State, 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.
August 14,1945
In
Popular Culture
The
recording has been featured in many Hollywood WWII-themed movies and television
series featuring the Pacific Theater, including but not limited to the
following
Movie
