What Allied declaration did Japan accept as the basis for its 1945 surrender?

Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration as the basis for its 1945 surrender. Issued on 26 July 1945, the declaration set out Allied terms for ending the war with Japan and warned of prompt and utter destruction if Japan refused.

The statement was issued by the United States, the United Kingdom, and China during the Potsdam Conference. It called for the unconditional surrender of Japanese armed forces, disarmament, occupation of designated areas, and the removal of militarist influence. It also stated that Japan's sovereignty would be limited to the home islands and other islands designated by the Allies.

The Soviet Union was not an original signatory because it was still neutral toward Japan when the declaration was released. After the atomic bombings, Soviet entry into the war, and internal debate in Tokyo, Japan accepted the declaration in August. The Instrument of Surrender later explicitly recorded Japan's acceptance of those terms.