What does the “V-J” in V-J Day stand for in the context of 1945?

In the context of 1945, “V-J” stands for “Victory over Japan.”

V-J Day is the short form of Victory over Japan Day, a name used for celebrations marking Japan's surrender in World War II. The term parallels V-E Day, or Victory in Europe Day, which marked Nazi Germany's surrender in May 1945.

The label can refer to more than one date depending on the country and historical context. In the United States, newspapers and public celebrations commonly treated August 14 or August 15 as V-J Day because Japan's acceptance of the Allied terms was announced then. September 2, the date of the formal signing aboard USS Missouri, is also used as the official end of the war in the Pacific.

The phrase “Victory over Japan” describes the Allied victory, not a Japanese national celebration. In Japan, the period is usually discussed through the surrender announcement, the end of the war, and the subsequent Allied occupation. Using the full phrase helps distinguish V-J Day from V-E Day and avoids confusion with the surrender ceremony's exact date.