Which Allied declaration set the surrender terms Japan accepted in August 1945?

The Potsdam Declaration set the surrender terms Japan accepted in August 1945.

The United States, United Kingdom, and China issued the declaration on July 26, 1945, during the Potsdam Conference. It called for the unconditional surrender of Japan’s armed forces and warned of prompt and utter destruction if Japan refused.

The declaration also outlined the postwar direction of Japan. It called for the elimination of militarist influence, disarmament, punishment of war criminals, democratic reforms, and the limitation of Japanese sovereignty. It did not directly state what would happen to Emperor Hirohito, an ambiguity that became important during the surrender negotiations.

Japan’s government accepted the terms in August after intense internal debate. Hirohito’s radio address announced that decision, while the Japanese Instrument of Surrender later formalized it. The Potsdam Declaration should not be confused with the Cairo Declaration, which had earlier addressed Allied aims concerning Japanese-occupied territories.