What does “V-J” stand for in V-J Day, the 1945 commemoration of Japan’s defeat?

“V-J” in V-J Day stands for “Victory over Japan.” The term identifies the Allied victory over Imperial Japan in World War II and the events marking Japan’s surrender.

The abbreviation followed the pattern of V-E Day, or Victory in Europe Day, which marked Nazi Germany’s defeat in Europe. Some sources also use V-P Day, meaning Victory in the Pacific, for the same general milestone.

V-J Day can refer to more than one date because Japan announced its acceptance of surrender terms on August 15, 1945, while the formal surrender document was signed on September 2. Time zones also meant the announcement was August 14 in much of the Americas.

The phrase describes Japan’s defeat, not the end of every military activity involving Japanese forces. Some isolated Japanese personnel continued resisting or remained unaware of the surrender for years afterward.