In Japan, what date in 1945 marked the radio announcement of Japan’s surrender and V-J Day?

In Japan, August 15, 1945, marked the radio announcement of Japan’s surrender and V-J Day.

Emperor Hirohito’s recorded announcement was broadcast at noon Japan Standard Time. It communicated Japan’s acceptance of the terms in the Potsdam Declaration and was the first time most Japanese people had heard their emperor’s voice.

The date can cause confusion because the United States received the news on August 14 because of time-zone differences. The formal surrender ceremony occurred later, on September 2, aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Thus, August 15 refers primarily to the public announcement in Japan, while September 2 marks the signing of the surrender document.

In Japan, August 15 is commonly associated with the end of the war, although the country’s official observance is called the Memorial Day for the War Dead and Praying for Peace. Different Allied countries historically used August 14, August 15, or September 2 when commemorating victory over Japan.