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Original sound of emperor's speech released
Address to Japan at end of World War II brought back to life in digital form
W Japan WWII Hirohito S Ledb
In this 1937 file photo, Japan's Emperor Hirohito salutes from his mount, his favorite white horse, during a military review in Tokyo. - photo by Associated Press
TOKYO — The 4 ½-minute speech that has reverberated throughout Japan's modern history since it was delivered by Emperor Hirohito at the end of World War II has come back to life in digital form. Hirohito's "jewel voice" — muffled and nearly inaudible due to poor sound quality — was broadcast on Aug. 15, 1945, announcing Japan's surrender. On Saturday, the Imperial Household Agency released the digital version of the original sound ahead of the 70th anniversary of the speech and the war's end.
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