What phrase does “V-J” abbreviate in the name of the 1945 V-J Day?

The phrase abbreviated by “V-J” in the name V-J Day is Victory over Japan.

The term followed the Allied abbreviation V-E Day, meaning Victory in Europe, which marked Nazi Germany’s surrender in May 1945. V-J Day referred to Japan’s defeat and surrender at the end of World War II in the Pacific.

The date associated with V-J Day varies by country and by whether the announcement or the formal signing is meant. In the United States, celebrations began after Japan’s surrender announcement was reported on 14 August 1945, while 2 September marked the formal signing of the surrender document. In the United Kingdom, V-J Day was observed on 15 August.

The phrase is therefore about Japan, not the Pacific region generally. Australia sometimes used the related term V-P Day, meaning Victory in the Pacific, which can cause confusion when comparing wartime observances.