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The Japanese surrender at the end of the Second World War (1939-1945) was nearly thwarted by the Kyūjō incident. What was this?

Answer: An attempted coup d’état. Taking place on the night of August 14–15 1945, it sought to stop Emperor Hirohito’s (1901-1989) radio broadcast announcing Japanese unconditional surrender. When it became clear that the majority of the Imperial Japanese army would not support the coup, the instigators committed suicide.

Source: Racing the Enemy by Tsuyoshi Hasegawa

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