What 1945 directive instructed Japanese forces where to surrender to designated Allied commanders?

General Order No. 1 instructed Japanese forces where to surrender to designated Allied commanders. It was prepared by the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, approved by President Harry Truman on 17 August 1945, and issued by Douglas MacArthur.

The order required Japanese forces to cease operations, provide information about their deployments, preserve military equipment, and surrender according to the areas in which they were located. It turned Japan’s political decision to surrender into detailed military instructions.

General Order No. 1 also divided surrender responsibilities across Allied commands. Japanese forces north of the 38th parallel in Korea were directed to surrender to Soviet forces, while those south of the line surrendered to American forces. Other regions were assigned to Chinese, British, Australian, or other Allied commanders.

The order was issued to Japan’s Imperial General Headquarters on 2 September, the day of the formal ceremony. It should not be confused with the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, which was the signed capitulation document rather than the operational directive implementing surrender.