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How did the Japanese government respond to the Potsdam Declaration?

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Atomic bombing of Hiroshima — atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki A gigantic mushroom cloud rising above Hiroshima, Japan, on August 6, 1945, after a U.S. aircraft dropped an atomic bomb on the city, immediately killing more than 70,000 people.

In response to the Potsdam Declaration, which demanded the unconditional surrender of Japan, Prime Minister Suzuki Kantarō initially responded with the term mokusatsu.1

The meaning of this response remains a subject of historical debate. While it was widely reported by the press at the time as a refusal or an act of ignoring the ultimatum, others have noted that the term can be translated as "no comment". Following this statement, Japan made no further official communication regarding the declaration for several days.1

After the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Soviet Union's declaration of war against Japan, the Japanese government shifted its position. On August 10, 1945, Japan issued a statement agreeing to accept the surrender terms of the Potsdam Declaration, provided that the emperor’s position as a sovereign ruler would not be prejudiced.123