The August 15 edition of Shanghai's Shen Bao had as its lead a story from the Japanese military claiming success for a commando raid. It was only the next day that the headline had suddenly become, "Emperor Announces Peace Proclamation." The story mentioned nothing about surrender. However, the editorial cautioned the people, "In times of great change, it is necessary to remain calm and tranquil."
上海等淪陷區的消息，比重慶地方的報紙來得晚，八月十五日的「申報」頭題，還是來自日本軍方的「鹿島癱東方海面，日特攻隊獲戰果」的消息；第二天，突然頭版頭題變成「日皇頒佈和平詔書」，投降的消息隻字未題，只在社評裡呼籲眾人「在時局波動之際，務必鎮靜沉著」。