Which Japanese diplomat signed Japan's surrender aboard USS Missouri?

Mamoru Shigemitsu signed Japan’s surrender aboard USS Missouri as the Japanese government’s representative.

The ceremony took place in Tokyo Bay on 2 September 1945, formally ending World War II. Shigemitsu signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender at about 9:04 a.m., using the wording “By Command and in behalf of the Emperor of Japan and the Japanese Government.” As foreign minister, he represented the civilian government of Japan.

A common mix-up is General Yoshijirō Umezu, who also signed the document. Umezu signed immediately after Shigemitsu on behalf of Japan’s Imperial General Headquarters and represented the armed forces. Toshikazu Kase was present as a Foreign Ministry official but was not one of the two Japanese signatories.

The Allied ceremony lasted about 23 minutes. General Douglas MacArthur signed for the Allied powers, followed by representatives from the United States, China, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and other Allied nations. The surrender became effective at approximately 9:25 a.m. Tokyo time.