What is the full name behind the abbreviation “V-J Day” for Japan’s 1945 defeat?

“V-J Day” is short for Victory over Japan Day, the commemoration of Japan’s surrender in World War II.

The abbreviation follows the pattern of V-E Day, or Victory in Europe Day, which marked Nazi Germany’s surrender earlier in 1945. V-J Day is also sometimes called Victory in the Pacific Day or V-P Day, particularly in Australia and some other countries.

The term can refer to two closely related moments. August 15 marked Japan’s surrender announcement in Japan, while September 2 marked the formal signing of the surrender document aboard USS Missouri. In the Americas, the announcement was generally dated August 14 because of the time difference.

This distinction explains why different countries and sources commemorate V-J Day on different dates. The phrase refers to victory over Japan, not to the end of the European war.