Which Allied declaration did Japan accept before its formal surrender in World War II?

Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration before its formal surrender in World War II.

Issued on July 26, 1945, the declaration was made by the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. It demanded Japan’s unconditional surrender and outlined broad conditions for the country’s future, including the elimination of Japanese militarism and the limitation of Japanese sovereignty to specified home islands.

The declaration warned Japan of “prompt and utter destruction” if it refused. Japan’s government initially did not accept the terms, but the military situation deteriorated rapidly. The United States used atomic bombs against Hiroshima and Nagasaki, while the Soviet Union entered the war against Japan and invaded Japanese-held territory in Manchuria.

On August 14, Japan formally communicated its acceptance of the declaration’s terms, subject to the understanding that the emperor’s status would not be compromised. The Allied response stated that the emperor and Japanese government would be subject to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers. Hirohito then announced the decision to the Japanese public.