What was the name of the 1945 Allied proclamation demanding Japan's surrender?

The story behind the answer

The Potsdam Declaration was the 1945 Allied proclamation demanding Japan’s surrender.

The United States, the United Kingdom, and China issued the declaration on July 26, 1945, during the Potsdam Conference. It set out proposed terms for ending the war with Japan and warned that refusal would bring “prompt and utter destruction.”

The declaration called for the unconditional surrender of Japan’s armed forces, the removal of militarist influence, the occupation of selected Japanese territory, and the limitation of Japanese sovereignty to the home islands and other islands designated by the Allies.

The Soviet Union did not initially sign because it was not yet at war with Japan. After the Soviet declaration of war in August, it agreed to adhere to the declaration. Hirohito announced Japan’s acceptance on August 15, and the surrender instrument later formalized the decision.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Oct. 2026

Add question to a list

Choose a list to keep this question in: