Nine Allied nations signed Japan's formal surrender instrument on September 2, 1945.
The signatories represented the United States, China, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. Japan's representatives signed separately as the defeated power, so the number nine refers to the Allied governments.
General Douglas MacArthur signed first for the Allied powers, followed by Admiral Chester Nimitz for the United States. Representatives of the other Allied governments then added their signatures in sequence. The ceremony took place aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.
Counting the signatories can be confusing because some accounts discuss individual representatives rather than governments. The instrument also included separate Japanese signatures for the government and Imperial General Headquarters. In total, the ceremony brought together representatives of ten governments or authorities when Japan is included.