Japan’s surrender was formally signed on 2 September 1945, ending World War II through the Japanese Instrument of Surrender.
The ceremony took place aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Japanese representatives signed the document first, followed by General Douglas MacArthur for the Allied powers and representatives of the United States, China, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.
The date is sometimes confused with 15 August, when Emperor Hirohito’s radio broadcast announced Japan’s acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration. That earlier announcement is often called V-J Day, especially in the United States. The 2 September ceremony was the legal and ceremonial completion of the surrender. The document took effect at approximately 9:25 a.m. Japan Standard Time, after a ceremony lasting about 23 minutes.