Which Allied commander accepted Japan’s formal surrender in 1945?

Douglas MacArthur accepted Japan’s formal surrender in 1945.

MacArthur signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender at 9:08 a.m. on September 2, 1945, aboard the battleship USS Missouri. He signed as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, representing the Allied nations gathered for the ceremony. His position gave him authority to receive the capitulation on their behalf.

MacArthur had commanded Allied forces in the Southwest Pacific Area and had returned to the Philippines in October 1944 after promising, “I shall return.” After Japan accepted surrender terms, he also became the central Allied authority during the occupation of Japan.

Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz signed immediately after MacArthur as the United States representative. Representatives of China, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands, and New Zealand then signed. MacArthur’s role is distinct from Nimitz’s: MacArthur accepted the surrender for the Allied coalition, while Nimitz signed specifically for the United States.