On what date was the Potsdam Declaration issued to Japan during World War II?

The Potsdam Declaration was issued to Japan on July 26, 1945, during the final weeks of World War II.

The declaration emerged from the Potsdam Conference, held near Berlin after Germany’s defeat. President Harry Truman, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek issued the statement in the name of the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. The Soviet Union was not initially a signatory because it had not yet entered the war against Japan.

The declaration demanded Japan’s unconditional surrender and described the consequences of continued resistance. It also outlined disarmament, occupation, territorial limits, and the punishment of war criminals. Japanese leaders initially did not accept it, using the term mokusatsu, which has been interpreted as ignoring or withholding comment.

Japan accepted the declaration in August after the atomic bombings, the Soviet declaration of war, and intense internal debate. The acceptance was announced by Hirohito and formalized by the September surrender ceremony.