What declaration demanded Japan's unconditional surrender in July 1945?

The Potsdam Declaration demanded Japan's unconditional surrender in July 1945.

The United States, United Kingdom, and China issued the declaration on July 26, 1945, during the Potsdam Conference in occupied Germany. It warned Japan that refusal would bring “prompt and utter destruction” and called for the elimination of Japanese militarism.

The declaration also outlined broad goals for the postwar settlement, including occupation of Japanese territory, disarmament of Japanese forces, and eventual withdrawal of occupation forces once peaceful objectives had been achieved. Japan initially rejected or did not formally accept its terms.

Japan accepted the declaration after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Soviet declaration of war, and intense debate among its leaders. The declaration should not be confused with the Cairo Declaration of 1943, which addressed Allied aims in Asia but was not the final surrender demand.