What date marked the formal signing of Japan’s surrender ending World War II?

The formal signing of Japan’s surrender ending World War II took place on September 2, 1945. Representatives of Japan and the Allied powers signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender during a ceremony aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.

The document converted Japan’s announced acceptance of the Allied terms into a formal capitulation. Japanese Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu signed for the Japanese government, followed by General Yoshijiro Umezu for Imperial General Headquarters. General Douglas MacArthur signed for the Allied powers, and other Allied representatives signed afterward.

The ceremony began shortly after 9 a.m. Japan Standard Time and lasted about 23 minutes. Although major fighting had effectively ended after Japan’s August announcement, September 2 is often treated as the legal and ceremonial end of World War II. August 15 remains the better-known public-announcement date in Japan, creating a common but important distinction between V-J Day observances and the formal surrender.