Which American general accepted Japan’s formal surrender in 1945?

Douglas MacArthur accepted Japan’s formal surrender on September 2, 1945.

MacArthur served as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers and presided over the surrender ceremony aboard the USS Missouri. He signed the instrument on behalf of the Allied powers before other Allied representatives added their signatures.

Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz signed immediately after MacArthur as the representative of the United States. This sometimes causes confusion because Nimitz was the senior American naval commander in the Pacific, while MacArthur held the overall Allied occupation command.

After the ceremony, MacArthur directed the Allied occupation of Japan. He oversaw major changes including demilitarization, political reform, land reform, and the creation of a new constitution. He remained in Japan until President Harry S. Truman relieved him from command in 1951.