In “V-J Day,” the letter J represents Japan. The abbreviation means “Victory over Japan,” following the wartime expression V-E Day, or Victory in Europe Day.
The term refers to the Allied victory over Japan and the end of the Pacific War. In the United States, President Harry Truman announced Japan's surrender on August 14, 1945, because of the time difference between Washington and Japan.
Many other countries received the news on August 15, while the formal surrender ceremony occurred on September 2. As a result, “V-J Day” can refer to more than one date depending on national practice and historical context.
The phrase should not be confused with Victory Day celebrations in Europe. V-J Day specifically concerns Japan's surrender, while V-E Day marked Nazi Germany's surrender in Europe several months earlier.