Video: 'The World at War: The Bomb: February-September 1945 (24 of 26)' (Aug. 9, 1945, at 46:04)

(Friday, August 10, 1945, 2:00 a.m. JST; during World War II) — Presiding over a special meeting of the War Council, Japanese Emperor Hirohito decided this morning that “continuing the war can only mean destruction for the nation and prolongation of bloodshed and cruelty in the world. I cannot bear to see my innocent people suffer any longer,” and that Japan should surrender.