New Zealand was represented by Air Vice-Marshal Leonard Isitt at Japan’s surrender ceremony in 1945.
Isitt signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender on behalf of New Zealand aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. He was the final Allied representative to sign the document, doing so at approximately 9:22 a.m. Japan Standard Time, shortly before the proceedings ended.
New Zealand had contributed naval, air, and land forces to Allied operations in the Pacific and Southeast Asia. Its separate signature reflected the participation of the British Commonwealth dominions as distinct Allied governments rather than merely as parts of the United Kingdom delegation.
Other Commonwealth representatives included Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser for the United Kingdom, General Sir Thomas Blamey for Australia, and Colonel Lawrence Moore Cosgrave for Canada. Isitt’s position as an air vice-marshal also illustrates that the ceremony included senior officers from different branches and national armed forces.