What name was given to the July 26, 1945 Allied demand for Japan’s surrender?

The Potsdam Declaration was the July 26, 1945 Allied demand for Japan’s surrender.

The declaration was issued by the United States, the United Kingdom, and China while Allied leaders were meeting in Potsdam, Germany. It called for Japan’s unconditional surrender and warned of “prompt and utter destruction” if Japan rejected the demand. The Soviet Union did not initially sign it because it was still formally neutral in the war against Japan.

Japan’s government did not immediately accept the declaration. The word mokusatsu, used in the government’s response, has been translated in different ways, including “ignore” and “withhold comment.” This has contributed to continuing debate about how the response was understood internationally.

After Emperor Hirohito decided to surrender, Japan accepted the declaration’s terms. The Japanese Instrument of Surrender later stated that Japan accepted the provisions of the Potsdam Declaration. The declaration also became an important legal basis for the Allied occupation and postwar reforms.