What Allied declaration demanded Japan’s surrender before the August 1945 announcement?

The Potsdam Declaration demanded Japan’s surrender before the August 1945 announcement.

The United States, the United Kingdom, and China issued the declaration on July 26, 1945, during the Potsdam Conference. It called for the unconditional surrender of Japan’s armed forces and warned of “prompt and utter destruction” if Japan refused.

The declaration outlined postwar conditions, including Allied occupation, disarmament, punishment of war criminals, and limits on Japanese sovereignty. It specified that Japan’s sovereignty would be limited to the main islands and other islands determined by the Allies.

Japan’s government eventually accepted the declaration’s terms in August, with the emperor’s position becoming part of the diplomatic dispute. Hirohito’s radio address announced acceptance of what he called the joint declaration, and the surrender document later made the terms formal.