Japan’s formal surrender ceremony began at 9:02 a.m. on September 2, 1945.
The ceremony was held aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. General Douglas MacArthur stepped before the microphones at 9:02 a.m. and delivered opening remarks before the Japanese representatives signed the surrender instrument.
The timing followed a carefully organized sequence. Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz boarded shortly after 8:00 a.m., MacArthur arrived at 8:43, and the Japanese delegation arrived at 8:56. The formal proceedings then began at 9:02 and lasted about 23 minutes.
This time should not be confused with the signing times of individual representatives. MacArthur signed at approximately 9:08 a.m., followed by Nimitz and representatives of the other Allied powers. The ceremony’s start time is also separate from the earlier radio announcements of Japan’s acceptance, which occurred in August and preceded the official signing by more than two weeks.