Which Allied declaration did Japan formally accept when ending World War II in 1945?

Japan formally accepted the Potsdam Declaration when ending World War II in 1945.

The declaration was issued on July 26, 1945, by the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. It demanded Japan’s unconditional surrender and warned of “prompt and utter destruction” if Japan refused. The Soviet Union joined the war against Japan later, after issuing its own declaration of war on August 8.

Hirohito’s August 15 broadcast announced that Japan had accepted the declaration’s terms. The declaration called for the elimination of Japanese militarism, occupation of designated Japanese territory, and the establishment of conditions supporting peace and democratic government.

The Potsdam Declaration is often confused with the Cairo Declaration, which was issued in 1943 and stated Allied goals concerning territories taken by Japan. It is also distinct from the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, the document signed aboard USS Missouri on September 2 that formally recorded the capitulation.