In V-J Day, “V-J” means “Victory over Japan.”
The abbreviation follows the same wartime naming pattern as V-E Day, which meant Victory in Europe. V-J Day refers to the Allied victory over Japan and is associated with Japan’s acceptance of the Allied surrender terms in August 1945 and the formal signing on September 2.
The date observed as V-J Day varies by country and time zone. In the United States, news of Japan’s acceptance was announced on August 14, 1945, while August 15 was already the date in Japan and much of Asia. The final legal and military surrender ceremony occurred on September 2.
This difference explains why historical references may list August 14, August 15, or September 2. They can refer respectively to the announcement in the United States, the date recognized in Japan, or the formal signing. The “V” abbreviations were widely used during the Second World War to label victory milestones.