What does the “V-J” in V-J Day mean in the history of Japan’s 1945 surrender?

“V-J” in V-J Day means “Victory over Japan.”

The expression was modeled on V-E Day, or Victory in Europe Day, which marked Nazi Germany’s defeat in May 1945. V-J Day referred to the Allied victory over Imperial Japan and is also called Victory in the Pacific Day in some countries.

The term can refer to more than one date. In Japan, Hirohito’s surrender announcement was broadcast on 15 August 1945, while the announcement was heard as 14 August in much of the United States because of time-zone differences. The formal surrender document was signed on 2 September aboard USS Missouri.

The United Kingdom generally commemorates 15 August as V-J Day, while the United States has often used 2 September for the formal end of the war. Australia commonly used the term V-P Day, meaning Victory in the Pacific. These variations explain why historical sources may list different V-J Day dates without contradicting one another.