Which Allied general accepted Japan’s surrender on behalf of the Allies in 1945?

Douglas MacArthur accepted Japan’s surrender on behalf of the Allies in 1945.

MacArthur was the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers and presided over the ceremony aboard USS Missouri on September 2, 1945. He signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender after the two Japanese representatives had signed it. He also delivered the ceremony’s opening and closing remarks.

MacArthur’s role reflected his command responsibilities in the Southwest Pacific and his appointment to lead the occupation of Japan. After the ceremony, he directed the Allied occupation authorities, which oversaw demilitarization, political reforms, a new constitution, and the reconstruction of Japan.

Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz signed immediately after MacArthur as the United States representative. Nimitz was the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas, so the two men held different but complementary wartime commands. MacArthur’s title at the surrender ceremony was Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, not president or head of the United States government.