On what date did Japan’s formal World War II surrender ceremony take place in Tokyo Bay?

Japan’s formal World War II surrender ceremony took place on September 2, 1945, in Tokyo Bay.

The ceremony occurred aboard the USS Missouri, where Japanese representatives signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender. General Douglas MacArthur accepted the surrender on behalf of the Allied Powers, followed by representatives of the United States, China, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.

This date is distinct from August 15, 1945, when Emperor Hirohito’s radio broadcast announced Japan’s acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration. Because of time-zone differences, the announcement was heard in parts of the Americas on August 14. The September ceremony converted the announced decision into a formal capitulation and is commonly treated as the legal end of World War II.

The ceremony began shortly after 9 a.m. Japan Standard Time and lasted about 23 minutes. Allied forces had already begun preparing for the occupation of Japan before the signing.