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

In V-J Day, the abbreviation “V-J” stands for Victory over Japan.

The term follows the Allied naming pattern used during World War II. V-E Day meant Victory in Europe, marking Nazi Germany’s surrender in May 1945, while V-J Day referred to Japan’s surrender in the Pacific war. “V-P Day,” meaning Victory in the Pacific, was another term used for the same event.

The date associated with V-J Day varies by location and by whether the announcement or the formal signing is meant. Japan announced its surrender on August 15, 1945, while news reached the United States on August 14 because of time-zone differences. The surrender document was signed on September 2, 1945.

This variation explains why books and memorials sometimes show different V-J Day dates. The abbreviation itself, however, consistently means Victory over Japan, not Victory in Japan or Victory over Germany.