Imperial Rescript on Surrender
From Wikisource
| Imperial Rescript on Surrender by Hirohito, translated by Wikisource |
| The Imperial Rescript of Surrender (玉音放送 gyokuon-hōsō) was the speech delivered by Emperor Hirohito on 15 August 1945, effectively announcing that Japan would surrender, ending World War II. To be precise, Hirohito informed the Japanese people that Japan would accept the terms of the Potsdam Declaration (which, among other things, stipulated the unconditional surrender of Japan). Wikipedia has a full article dealing with this speech.
This interpretation intends to convey the spirit of Hirohito's message without adhering rigidly to his actual words. The numbers refer to footnote references at the conclusion of the passage. |
TO THE SUBJECTS OF JAPAN
After examining Japan's current situation and condition, I have decided to take extraordinary measures.[1] I have ordered our government to inform the governments of the United States, Great Britain, China and the Soviet Union that Japan will surrender.[2]
It is the role of the Emperor to strive for prosperity and happiness throughout the world, and for the security and well-being of the Japanese people. I declared war on America and Great Britain to protect the Japanese people and to bring peace and stability to the East Asian region. I did not declare war to infringe on the rights of other nations, or to expand Japanese territory.
This war has now lasted four years, and despite the best efforts of the military, the government and the Japanese people, this war has not been successful for Japan. The enemy now possesses a new and terrible weapon[3] with the power to destroy many innocent lives and do incalculable damage. If we continue to fight this war, this weapon will destroy the Japanese nation and bring about the total extinction of the human race.
As a result, I have no way to save the millions of Japanese citizens other than to surrender.
I express my deepest regret to our allies in East Asia who have worked hard with us to achieve freedom in this region. I am pained by the thought of the officers who died in service to Japan, and their bereaved families. My greatest concern is for the welfare of the wounded and for those who have lost their homes and livelihoods.
The road ahead for Japan will be very difficult and I am aware that many Japanese will feel dishonoured. However due to the current situation, I have resolved that there is no option but to work to achieve peace for all the generations to come. To do this we must “endure the unendurable”.[4]
To maintain the structure of the Japanese nation, I am working for you, and I am relying on the sincerity and goodwill of the Japanese people. I ask you to remain calm and to refrain from fighting with your fellow citizens, so that we do not lose the confidence of the world.
Let the Japanese people work together as one family for the future, confident that the Japanese nation will endure, but also aware of the heavy responsibilities and the difficult road ahead. Work together to rebuild the nation for the future, so that we may keep pace with the world.
[edit] Notes
- ↑ The act was extraordinary because, by tradition, surrender was an unbearably shameful act.
- ↑ The speech did not use the word “surrender” at any time, instead it only referred to “accepting the provisions of the joint declaration” (ie. the Potsdam Declaration) This may have baffled any Japanese citizen who did not know what those provisions actually were.
- ↑ The atomic bomb
- ↑ It is presumed that the Emperor was referring to the ignominy of surrendering.
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