On what date was Japan’s formal World War II surrender signed during V-J Day ceremonies?

Japan’s formal World War II surrender was signed on 2 September 1945 during ceremonies in Tokyo Bay.

The signing took place aboard the American battleship USS Missouri, where Japanese representatives accepted the Allied terms. Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu signed for the Japanese government, while General Yoshijirō Umezu signed for Imperial General Headquarters.

Emperor Hirohito had announced Japan’s acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration in a radio broadcast on 15 August. That announcement is also associated with V-J Day, especially in countries that marked the news on 14 or 15 August because of time zones. The later ceremony made the surrender formal and public to the Allied powers.

The ceremony began shortly after 9 a.m. Japan Standard Time and lasted about 23 minutes. The Instrument of Surrender took effect at 9:25 a.m., ending organized hostilities in World War II. The distinction between the August announcement and the September signing explains why V-J Day can refer to more than one date.