This Day in History: 15 August 2020
15 August 1945
75 years ago, today, Emperor Hirohito announced Japan's surrender, bringing World War Two to an end. This day is now commemorated as Victory over Japan Day. Although Tokyo had already communicated to the Allies its acceptance of the surrender terms of the Potsdam Conference several days earlier, the Japanese people were still waiting to hear an authoritative voice speak the unspeakable truth that Japan had been defeated. This voice was the emperor's. A Japanese news service announcement had even been made prior to the announcement but this was not sufficient enough for the Japanese.
Emperor Hirohito's voice, that was broadcast over the radio airwaves for the first time, confessed that Japan's enemy had begun to employ the most devastating bomb, capable of taking the toll of many innocent lives. This bomb was the atomic bombs that had been dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the days prior. Hirohito's oral memoirs, published and translated after the war, was evidence of the emperor's fear at the time that 'the Japanese race will be destroyed if the war continues'. A large issue in the Japanese surrender terms had been Hirohito's status, as Tokyo wanted his status as emperor protected. Hirohito retained his title but was forced to disclaim his divine status, meaning that Japan not only lost a war, but also lost a god.
Want to find out more about V-J Day? Click here for more information, or here for more about the life of Emperor Hirohito.
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