What Allied declaration of 26 July 1945 demanded Japan's surrender?

The Potsdam Declaration was the Allied declaration of 26 July 1945 that demanded Japan's surrender.

The United States, United Kingdom, and China issued the declaration during the Potsdam Conference. It called for the unconditional surrender of Japan's armed forces and warned that refusal would bring “prompt and utter destruction.” The declaration also outlined plans to remove Japanese militarism and limit Japanese sovereignty.

The Soviet Union did not initially sign the declaration because it was still neutral in its war with Japan. After the Soviet Union entered the Pacific War in August, it subscribed to the declaration. Japan's government did not immediately accept the ultimatum.

The declaration became central to the surrender process. Japan accepted its terms in August, and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender explicitly referred to the document signed at Potsdam.