Which U.S. general accepted Japan’s surrender for the Allied powers in Tokyo Bay in 1945?

Douglas MacArthur accepted Japan’s surrender for the Allied powers on September 2, 1945.

MacArthur served as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers and presided over the surrender ceremony aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. He signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender at 9:08 a.m. Japan Standard Time, after Japan’s two representatives had signed it.

MacArthur had commanded Allied forces in the Southwest Pacific Area during the war. His wartime career included the defense and later liberation of the Philippines, and his appointment to lead the occupation gave him a central role in Japan’s postwar reconstruction.

He did not sign as the sole representative of every Allied government. Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz signed for the United States, while representatives from eight other Allied nations also signed. This distinction matters because MacArthur accepted the surrender in his capacity as Supreme Commander, whereas each national representative signed for a particular government.