What does “V-J” stand for in V-J Day, the World War II victory celebration?

“V-J” in V-J Day stands for “Victory over Japan,” the Allied term for Japan’s defeat in World War II.

The expression was modeled on V-E Day, meaning Victory in Europe Day, which marked Nazi Germany’s surrender in May 1945. After Germany’s defeat, the remaining major Axis power was Japan, so Allied governments and newspapers adopted V-J Day for the Pacific victory.

The label can refer to more than one related date. Japan announced its acceptance of the Allied surrender terms on 15 August 1945 in Japan, while the formal surrender document was signed on 2 September aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Because of time-zone differences, the announcement reached the United States on 14 August.

“Victory in the Pacific” and “V-P Day” are related alternative expressions, especially in Commonwealth usage, but “V-J” specifically expands to “Victory over Japan.”