Nine Allied countries signed Japan’s World War II surrender instrument in 1945.
The signatories represented the United States, China, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. Douglas MacArthur signed first on behalf of the Allied Powers, followed by the national representatives.
The number nine refers to Allied countries, not the total number of people who signed. MacArthur signed in his command role, while Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz represented the United States. Japan’s two authorized signatories signed before the Allied representatives.
The ceremony reflected the broad coalition that had fought Japan across the Pacific, East Asia, and other theaters. Each country’s representative signed in a defined order on the document aboard USS Missouri.