Which Allied declaration of July 26, 1945, set out the terms Japan later accepted?

The Potsdam Declaration set out the terms Japan later accepted.

Issued on July 26, 1945, the declaration was released by the United States, the United Kingdom, and China during the Potsdam Conference. It called for Japan’s armed forces to surrender and warned of “prompt and utter destruction” if Japan refused. The Soviet Union was not yet at war with Japan and did not initially sign the statement.

The declaration described major postwar conditions, including the disarmament of Japanese forces, the punishment of war criminals, and the removal of Japanese authority from conquered territories. It also stated that Japanese sovereignty would be limited to the home islands and other areas designated by the Allies.

Japan’s government initially avoided accepting the ultimatum. After the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Soviet entry into the war, Emperor Hirohito directed the government to accept its terms. The Japanese Instrument of Surrender later made acceptance of the declaration part of the formal surrender.