What date is most associated with Japan’s formal surrender ending World War II?

Japan’s formal surrender ending World War II was signed on September 2, 1945.

On that date, Japanese representatives signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. The document took effect at about 9:25 a.m. Japan Standard Time, after the signatures had been completed.

August 15 is also strongly associated with Japan’s surrender because Emperor Hirohito’s recorded announcement was broadcast to the Japanese public at noon that day. In the United States, V-J Day is commonly observed on August 14 because the news arrived there on August 14 local time. September 2 refers specifically to the formal signing ceremony.

This distinction explains why different countries and historical sources use different V-J Day dates. The August announcement ended Japan’s resistance in principle, while the September ceremony completed the diplomatic and military process in a formal document.