Which date is officially observed as Victory over Japan Day in the United Kingdom?

The United Kingdom officially observes Victory over Japan Day on 15 August 1945.

On that date, Emperor Hirohito’s recorded announcement of Japan’s surrender was broadcast to the Japanese public. British Commonwealth countries generally identify 15 August as V-J Day because that was the date on which the news was received in their time zones.

The United States commonly associates the announcement with 14 August because the broadcast occurred on 15 August in Japan but was still 14 August in much of the Americas. The formal surrender ceremony came later, on 2 September 1945, when Japanese representatives signed the surrender instrument aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.

These different dates explain why V-J Day can refer to more than one event. The announcement marked Japan’s decision to surrender, while the September signing completed the legal and ceremonial process. The United Kingdom’s date should not be confused with VE Day, which marks Germany’s surrender in Europe on 8 May 1945.