Which Japanese official signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender first on September 2, 1945?

Mamoru Shigemitsu was the first Japanese official to sign the Japanese Instrument of Surrender on September 2, 1945.

Shigemitsu signed as Japan’s foreign minister and civilian plenipotentiary. His signature appeared before that of General Yoshijirō Umezu, who signed on behalf of Imperial Japanese General Headquarters. Together, they represented the Japanese government and military command at the ceremony.

The signing occurred aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay shortly after 9 a.m. Japan Standard Time. Shigemitsu used the formula “By Command and in behalf of the Emperor of Japan and the Japanese Government,” while Umezu signed for the military headquarters.

Shigemitsu had held important diplomatic posts during the war and briefly served as foreign minister again in August 1945. He was not the prime minister, and he did not make the radio announcement that informed the Japanese public of surrender. That broadcast was Emperor Hirohito’s recorded address, delivered on August 15.