What was the date of Japan’s formal surrender ceremony ending World War II?

Japan’s formal surrender ceremony took place on September 2, 1945.

On that date, Japanese officials signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. The document legally formalized Japan’s capitulation and ended hostilities between Japan and the Allied powers.

The date is distinct from August 15, 1945, when Emperor Hirohito’s recorded radio announcement was broadcast to the Japanese public. Japan had accepted the Allied terms before then, but the September ceremony completed the formal surrender process.

September 2 is commonly called Victory over Japan Day, or V-J Day, in historical accounts. In some countries, however, V-J Day refers to August 15 because that was when the surrender announcement became public. The difference explains why sources sometimes give two dates for Japan’s victory day.