At the 1945 Japanese Instrument of Surrender ceremony, on what date was the document signed?

The Japanese Instrument of Surrender was signed on September 2, 1945.

The ceremony took place aboard the American battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Japanese representatives signed first, followed by General Douglas MacArthur and representatives of the Allied powers. The signing formally ended World War II for Japan, even though Japan had announced its decision to surrender weeks earlier.

August 15 is often called V-J Day because Emperor Hirohito’s radio announcement of Japan’s acceptance of the surrender terms was broadcast that day in Japan. The two dates therefore refer to different milestones: August 15 marked the public announcement, while September 2 marked the formal legal ceremony. The document itself recorded Japan’s acceptance of the Allied demand for unconditional surrender and its commitment to carry out the terms.