On what date was Japan’s formal surrender ceremony held aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay?

Japan’s formal surrender ceremony aboard USS Missouri was held on September 2, 1945.

The ceremony took place in Tokyo Bay shortly after 9 a.m. Japan Standard Time. Japanese representatives signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, formally ending hostilities with the Allied powers in World War II.

The date is sometimes confused with August 15, 1945, when Emperor Hirohito’s recorded radio address announced Japan’s acceptance of the Allied terms. August 15 is commonly observed as V-J Day in Japan and several other countries, while September 2 marks the official signing ceremony.

The ceremony lasted about 23 minutes and included representatives from Japan, the United States, China, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. The document took effect at 9:25 a.m. local time.