On what date did Japan announce its surrender in 1945, marking V-J Day in Japan?

Japan announced its surrender on August 15, 1945, marking V-J Day in Japan.

Emperor Hirohito announced Japan’s acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration in a radio broadcast known as the Jewel Voice Broadcast. It was the first time most Japanese people had heard their emperor speak.

The date can cause confusion because the announcement occurred on August 14 in the United States and some other parts of the Americas because of time-zone differences. The formal surrender ceremony took place later, on September 2, aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.

August 15 is commonly observed in Japan as the memorial day marking the end of the war, although the formal legal signing and the announcement are separate events.