August 15, 1945, is commonly commemorated as V-J Day in Japan, marking Japan's announced surrender in World War II.
On that date, Emperor Hirohito's recorded announcement was broadcast to the Japanese public shortly after noon Japan Standard Time. The speech stated that Japan had accepted the terms of the Potsdam Declaration, although its formal court language did not plainly use the everyday phrase “Japan surrenders.” For many listeners, it was the first time they had heard the emperor's voice.
The date can cause confusion because the surrender process had several milestones. Japan's acceptance was announced in Japan on August 15, while the announcement reached the United States on August 14 because of time-zone differences. The formal signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender took place on September 2 aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.
Japan's official memorial observance is called the National Memorial Service for the War Dead and the Day for Praying for Peace. In the United States, September 2 was also designated as the official V-J Day in 1945.