Where was Japan's formal World War II surrender signed in 1945?

Japan’s formal World War II surrender was signed in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.

The signing took place aboard the American battleship USS Missouri, which was anchored in the bay near Tokyo. The location allowed the Allied naval forces gathered offshore to witness the ceremony while keeping the signing outside the Japanese capital itself. About 250 Allied vessels were present in the surrounding waters.

Tokyo Bay also carried historical symbolism. USS Missouri anchored near the area where Commodore Matthew Perry’s American squadron had anchored in 1853, during the expedition that led to the Convention of Kanagawa and the opening of Japan to American trade. A flag associated with Perry’s expedition was displayed during the ceremony.

Tokyo Bay is sometimes confused with Yokohama because the Japanese delegation departed from Yokohama before boarding the vessel that carried them out to Missouri. However, the Instrument of Surrender was signed aboard Missouri in Tokyo Bay, not in Yokohama.