What ultimatum issued on July 26, 1945, demanded Japan’s surrender?

The Potsdam Declaration, issued on July 26, 1945, demanded Japan’s surrender.

The United States, United Kingdom, and China issued the declaration during the Potsdam Conference. It called for the unconditional surrender of Japan’s armed forces and warned that refusal would bring “prompt and utter destruction.” The statement also described broad political and territorial conditions for Japan after the war.

The declaration specified that Japanese sovereignty would be limited mainly to the four home islands—Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku—plus other islands designated by the Allies. It called for disarmament, punishment of war criminals, democratic reforms, and the removal of leaders responsible for Japanese expansion.

The Soviet Union did not sign the declaration when it was issued because it was still neutral in the war against Japan. Japan initially did not accept the ultimatum. After Hiroshima, the Soviet declaration of war, and Nagasaki, Japan accepted its terms, leading to the August 15 announcement and the September 2 formal surrender.