Japan signed the World War II surrender documents in Tokyo Bay.
The signing occurred aboard USS Missouri on September 2, 1945. The Allied fleet had entered the bay during preparations for the occupation of Japan, and the battleship was anchored near the location associated with Commodore Matthew Perry’s 1853 expedition.
Tokyo Bay provided a secure harbor close to Japan’s capital and allowed a large Allied naval presence to witness the ceremony. Around 250 Allied vessels were in the wider area, including ships from several partner nations.
Tokyo Bay is sometimes confused with Sagami Bay because many Allied ships had operated in waters south of Tokyo. However, the formal surrender ceremony itself took place in Tokyo Bay, on the deck of Missouri. The document took effect at 9:25 a.m. Japan Standard Time.