What term did Australia commonly use for the 1945 Allied victory over Japan?

Australia commonly used the term Victory in the Pacific Day for the 1945 Allied victory over Japan. The abbreviated form was V-P Day, rather than the American V-J Day.

Different countries used different names and dates for the end of the Pacific War. In Australia, newspapers and government announcements referred to Victory in the Pacific, reflecting the country’s geographic position and wartime experience. The United States generally used Victory over Japan Day, or V-J Day.

The date could also vary because news traveled across time zones. Japan’s surrender announcement was broadcast on August 15 in Japan and much of the British Commonwealth. In the United States, the announcement was heard on August 14. The formal surrender ceremony took place on September 2 aboard USS Missouri.

These variations do not represent different wars or separate surrenders. They reflect the distinction between the public announcement, local observances, and the legally formal signing. Australia’s V-P terminology remains an important example of how wartime memory can differ across Allied countries.