When was the Potsdam Declaration, which demanded Japan’s surrender, issued in 1945?

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

The declaration was released during the Potsdam Conference by the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. It warned Japan that continued resistance would bring “prompt and utter destruction” and called for the unconditional surrender of Japanese armed forces.

The Soviet Union did not initially sign the declaration because it was not yet at war with Japan. After declaring war on Japan in August, the Soviet Union joined the declaration’s terms.

The document did not directly settle the future status of Emperor Hirohito. That ambiguity contributed to debate within Japan over whether the country could accept the Allied terms. Hirohito ultimately announced Japan’s acceptance on August 15, and the surrender instrument signed on September 2 incorporated the declaration’s conditions.