Editing Hirohito surrender broadcast (section)

===Official English translation===
{{blockquote|''TO OUR GOOD AND LOYAL SUBJECTS,''

After pondering deeply the general trends of the world and the actual conditions obtaining in [[Empire of Japan|our empire]] today, we{{efn|The pronoun used in Japanese was {{Nihongo|''chin''|朕|}}, comparable to the [[royal we|royal ''we'']] in English.}} 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, [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|China]] and the [[Soviet Union]] that our empire accepts the provisions of [[Potsdam Declaration|their joint declaration]].<ref name="ProclamationTerms">{{cite web|date = July 26, 1945 |title = Proclamation Defining Terms for Japanese Surrender|url = http://www.ndl.go.jp/constitution/e/etc/c06.html |website=Birth of the Constitution of Japan |publisher=National Diet Library |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923003731/https://www.ndl.go.jp/constitution/e/etc/c06.html |archive-date= Sep 23, 2023 }}</ref>

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 [[List of emperors of Japan|our imperial ancestors]] and which lies close to our heart.

Indeed, we declared [[Pacific War|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&nbsp;– the gallant fighting of the [[Imperial Japanese Army|military]] and [[Imperial Japanese Navy|naval forces]], the diligence and assiduity of our servants of the state, and the devoted service of our one hundred million people&nbsp;– 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 [[Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki|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 {{Transliteration|ja|[[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&nbsp;– so that you may enhance the innate glory of the imperial state and keep pace with the progress of the world.

[[File:Showa shomei.svg|70px|alt=Hirohito]]
[[File:Gyoji.svg|100px|alt=(Privy Seal)]]

Tokyo, August 14, 1945 (20th year of [[Shōwa era|Shōwa]]) |sign= [[Prime Minister of Japan|Prime Minister]] [[Kantarō Suzuki]]|source=}}