What was the name of the declaration issued on 26 July 1945 that demanded Japan’s surrender?

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

The United States, United Kingdom, and China released the declaration during the Potsdam Conference. It outlined the terms for ending the war with Japan and warned that refusal would bring “prompt and utter destruction.” The Soviet Union did not initially sign because it was not yet at war with Japan.

The declaration called for the disarmament of Japan’s armed forces and limited Japanese sovereignty to the home islands and other territories determined by the Allies. It also promised that the Japanese people would not be enslaved as a race or destroyed as a nation.

Japan’s government initially responded with mokusatsu, a term often translated as ignoring or withholding comment. After further military and diplomatic developments, Emperor Hirohito accepted the declaration’s terms. That acceptance led to the 15 August announcement and ultimately to the formal surrender ceremony on 2 September.