In the 1945 term “V-J Day,” what does “V-J” stand for?

“V-J” in the 1945 term “V-J Day” stands for “Victory over Japan.” The abbreviation followed the earlier Allied expression “V-E Day,” meaning Victory in Europe, which marked Nazi Germany’s surrender in May 1945.

V-J Day referred to Japan’s defeat and surrender at the end of World War II. The label was used for both the initial public announcement of Japan’s surrender in August and the formal signing of surrender documents on September 2, depending on the country and time zone.

In Japan, Emperor Hirohito’s surrender announcement was broadcast on August 15, 1945. In the United States, news of the announcement arrived on August 14 because of the time difference. The formal ceremony took place later, aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.

The related term “V-P Day,” meaning Victory in the Pacific, was especially common in Australia. These labels describe the same broad Allied victory, but local calendars and commemorations did not always use the same date.