On what date was V-J Day observed in Japan after its surrender announcement?

V-J Day was observed in Japan on August 15, 1945, after the country’s surrender announcement.

A little after noon Japan Standard Time, Emperor Hirohito’s recorded announcement was broadcast to the Japanese people. It stated that Japan had accepted the terms of the Potsdam Declaration. The broadcast followed days of intense debate within the Japanese government and imperial leadership.

The date can be confused with August 14 in the United States, where President Harry S. Truman announced Japan’s surrender during the evening of August 14 because of the time difference. The formal legal ceremony came later, on September 2.

Thus, August 15 refers to the public announcement and common Japanese observance, while September 2 refers to the signing ceremony aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.