Which declaration's terms did Japan accept in August 1945, leading to the end of World War II?

Japan accepted the terms of the Potsdam Declaration in August 1945, leading to the end of World War II.

The United States, United Kingdom, and China issued the declaration on 26 July 1945 during the Potsdam Conference. It demanded Japan's unconditional surrender and warned of “prompt and utter destruction” if Japan refused. The Soviet Union did not initially sign because it was still neutral in the war against Japan, but it later joined the declaration after declaring war.

Japan's leaders debated the terms for weeks. After the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Soviet declaration of war, Emperor Hirohito supported acceptance. Japan informed the Allies of its decision in August, and Hirohito explained it publicly in his 15 August broadcast.

The Potsdam Declaration was not itself the final surrender document. The Japanese Instrument of Surrender, signed on 2 September 1945, formally recorded Japan's capitulation. The declaration instead supplied the political and military terms that Japan agreed to accept.