Which American general presided over Japan's surrender ceremony aboard USS Missouri?

Douglas MacArthur presided over Japan's surrender ceremony aboard USS Missouri.

MacArthur served as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers and accepted the Japanese Instrument of Surrender on behalf of the Allied nations. He opened the ceremony with brief remarks emphasizing the end of armed conflict and the hope for peace.

After Japanese representatives signed, MacArthur signed the document for the Allied powers. Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz then signed for the United States, followed by representatives from China, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.

MacArthur became the central authority of the Allied occupation of Japan. The occupation began later in August 1945 and led to major political, legal, and economic changes, including a new constitution that took effect in 1947.