Kantarō Suzuki was Japan’s prime minister when the government accepted the Potsdam Declaration in 1945.
Suzuki, a retired admiral, became prime minister in April 1945 during the final months of the Pacific War. His cabinet faced military defeat, severe shortages, bombing, and growing pressure to find a way to end the conflict.
After the atomic bombings and the Soviet entry into the war against Japan, Suzuki’s cabinet moved toward acceptance of the Allied terms. Emperor Hirohito intervened during the deadlock and supported surrender, leading to the decision announced publicly on 15 August.
Suzuki resigned after the surrender and was succeeded by Prince Naruhiko Higashikuni, who headed the first post-surrender cabinet. He is often confused with Hideki Tōjō or Kuniaki Koiso, both earlier wartime prime ministers who left office before Japan’s final decision.