What was the Allied ultimatum that Japan accepted before surrendering in World War II?

The Potsdam Declaration was the Allied ultimatum that Japan accepted before surrendering in World War II.

Issued on July 26, 1945, the declaration called for the unconditional surrender of Japan’s armed forces. It warned that rejecting the terms would bring “prompt and utter destruction.” The United States, the United Kingdom, and China issued it during the Potsdam Conference.

The declaration outlined major postwar conditions, including Japan’s disarmament, the occupation of designated territory, the removal of militarist influence, and the limitation of Japanese sovereignty to the home islands and other islands chosen by the Allies.

Japan initially did not accept the declaration publicly. After the atomic bombings, the Soviet declaration of war, and intense debate within the Japanese government, Japan accepted its terms in August 1945. The surrender document signed in September formally recorded that acceptance.