Emperor Hirohito Quotes

It goes without saying that it is unbearable for me to see the brave and loyal fighting men of Japan disarmed. It is equally unbearable that others who have rendered me devoted service should now be...

Emperor Hirohito

Statement to his full cabinet, instructing them to make preparations for surrender.

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I have given serious thought to the situation prevailing at home and abroad and have concluded that continuing the war can only mean destruction for the nation and prolongation of bloodshed and...

Emperor Hirohito

Statement to his full cabinet, instructing them to make preparations for Japan to surrender, ending World War II .

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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...

Emperor Hirohito

Gyokuon-hōsō - 1945 - also known as the Imperial Rescript on the Termination of the War, accepting the Potsdam Declaration.

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Beware most strictly of any outbursts of emotion which may engender needless complications, or any fraternal contention and strike which may create confusion, lead you astray and cause you to lose...

Emperor Hirohito

Gyokuon-hōsō - 1945 - also known as the Imperial Rescript on the Termination of the War, accepting the Potsdam Declaration.

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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...

Emperor Hirohito

Gyokuon-hōsō - 1945 - also known as the Imperial Rescript on the Termination of the War, accepting the Potsdam Declaration.

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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...

Emperor Hirohito

Gyokuon-hōsō - 1945 - also known as the Imperial Rescript on the Termination of the War, accepting the Potsdam Declaration.

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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...

Emperor Hirohito

Gyokuon-hōsō - 1945 - also known as the Imperial Rescript on the Termination of the War, accepting the Potsdam Declaration.

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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...

Emperor Hirohito

Gyokuon-hōsō - 1945 - also known as the Imperial Rescript on the Termination of the War, accepting the Potsdam Declaration.

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When I calmly consider this, the flame of anxiety burns my body. Towards the public, I am deeply ashamed of my lack of discretion... I would like to apologise to successive emperors and people by...

Emperor Hirohito

Draft of undelivered speech - 1948; published in the magazine Bungeishunju as quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald - 11 June 2003.

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When I consider the dead and their families, I cannot repress my mental agony.

Emperor Hirohito

Draft of undelivered speech, 1948; published in the magazine Bungeishunju as quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald - 11 June 2003.

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