Which Allied representative signed immediately after Douglas MacArthur at Japan’s surrender ceremony?

Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz signed immediately after Douglas MacArthur at Japan’s surrender ceremony.

MacArthur first signed as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers at about 9:08 a.m. Nimitz followed at about 9:12 a.m., signing as the representative of the United States. Representatives of China, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and other Allied nations then signed in sequence.

Nimitz was Commander in Chief of the United States Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas during much of the war. His presence connected the ceremony to the enormous naval and air campaign that had brought Allied forces across the Pacific toward Japan.

William Halsey is a plausible but incorrect answer because he commanded the U.S. Third Fleet, whose ships were involved in the final operations. However, Halsey did not sign the surrender instrument. The signing order distinguished MacArthur’s Allied command role from Nimitz’s role as the United States representative.