Douglas MacArthur accepted Japan’s surrender and signed first for the Allies at the 1945 ceremony.
MacArthur served as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers and presided over the ceremony aboard USS Missouri on September 2, 1945. After the two Japanese representatives signed, he signed the instrument at about 9:08 a.m. on behalf of the Allied powers.
MacArthur had commanded Allied forces in the Southwest Pacific Area. He had also been appointed to lead the occupation of Japan, making him the central Allied authority at the ceremony. In his opening remarks, he described the event as a solemn occasion and expressed hope for a better world after the conflict.
MacArthur’s signature came before those of the representatives of the United States, China, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and other Allied countries. Chester W. Nimitz signed immediately after him as the U.S. representative, a different role from MacArthur’s position as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.