At what time did the 1945 Japanese surrender ceremony begin?
Answer
9:02 a.m.
The 1945 Japanese surrender ceremony began at 9:02 a.m. Japan Standard Time. General Douglas MacArthur opened the proceedings on the deck of USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.
The timing is distinct from several nearby events. The Japanese representatives arrived at 8:56 a.m., MacArthur began the ceremony at 9:02, and the Instrument of Surrender became effective at 9:25. Mamoru Shigemitsu signed at 9:04, while MacArthur signed at 9:08.
The ceremony lasted approximately 23 minutes and was broadcast around the world. Its carefully scheduled sequence reflected the importance of the event and the need to accommodate multiple Allied representatives. The precise times are preserved in accounts of the ceremony and help distinguish the arrival, signing, and formal completion of the surrender.