At what time did World War II officially end in the Pacific on September 2, 1945?

World War II officially ended in the Pacific at 9:25 a.m. Japan Standard Time on September 2, 1945.

The Japanese Instrument of Surrender was signed aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. The ceremony began shortly after 9 a.m., with Japanese Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu signing first, followed by General Yoshijiro Umezu and the Allied representatives.

At 9:25 a.m., after the signatures and closing remarks, the proceedings concluded and the war was officially over in the Pacific. Japan had announced its decision to surrender weeks earlier, so the announcement and the legal completion of surrender were separate events.

This timing is often confused with August 15, the date Japan’s surrender announcement was broadcast to its people. August 15 marked the public announcement; September 2 marked the formal signing and official end of hostilities.