The victory marking Japan’s surrender in World War II is commonly called V-J Day.
“V-J” means “Victory over Japan.” The term parallels V-E Day, or Victory in Europe Day, which marked Nazi Germany’s surrender in May 1945. V-J Day refers to the conclusion of the war against Japan and is also called Victory over Japan Day.
The date associated with V-J Day varies because news traveled across time zones and because the surrender announcement and formal signing occurred on different dates. In the United States, celebrations began on August 14, 1945, after President Harry S. Truman announced Japan’s surrender. Many other countries observed the victory on August 15.
The formal document was signed on September 2 aboard USS Missouri. That date is also called V-J Day in some historical contexts, especially when the reference is to the legal completion of Japan’s surrender rather than the public announcement.