Which planned operation was the first stage of the Allied invasion plan for Japan?

Operation Olympic was the first stage of the planned Allied invasion of Japan.

Olympic was scheduled to begin on 1 November 1945. Its objective was to capture southern Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island, and establish air bases for a later advance. The plan used Okinawa, already captured by Allied forces, as a staging area for the invasion fleet.

The second stage was Operation Coronet, which was planned for spring 1946 against the Kanto Plain near Tokyo. Together, Olympic and Coronet made up Operation Downfall, the overall invasion plan. Japan surrendered before either operation began.

The name Olympic can cause confusion because it was the first component, not the complete invasion plan. The operation also had a related deception plan, Operation Pastel, intended to mislead Japanese defenders about the Allies’ intended strategy. Olympic was ultimately rendered unnecessary by Japan’s surrender in August 1945.