Japan Surrenders, Now What?
After the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan, Emperor Hirohito gave a speech over the radio in which he informed the Japanese public that the Empire of Japan had surrendered to the Allies. Many Japanese were stunned as they did not believe that Japan could fail. Many were shocked as they had never heard their emperor's voice before. This would not be the last speech they would hear from Emperor Hirohito.
The Japanese had to surrender unconditionally. This means they had no say. They had to completely give up the fight and do as they were told. One of those things they were told by the Allies was that they must declare that their emperor is not a god. Emperor Hirohito gave the "Humanity Declaration" on January 1st 1946. In this speech he declared that he was not a god. This was one of the first of many events that changed and modernized Japan's society.
After the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan, Emperor Hirohito gave a speech over the radio in which he informed the Japanese public that the Empire of Japan had surrendered to the Allies. Many Japanese were stunned as they did not believe that Japan could fail. Many were shocked as they had never heard their emperor's voice before. This would not be the last speech they would hear from Emperor Hirohito.
The Japanese had to surrender unconditionally. This means they had no say. They had to completely give up the fight and do as they were told. One of those things they were told by the Allies was that they must declare that their emperor is not a god. Emperor Hirohito gave the "Humanity Declaration" on January 1st 1946. In this speech he declared that he was not a god. This was one of the first of many events that changed and modernized Japan's society.