Who became Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers overseeing Japan’s surrender and occupation?

Douglas MacArthur became Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers overseeing Japan’s surrender and occupation.

President Harry S. Truman selected MacArthur in August 1945 to supervise the surrender and the occupation of Japan. MacArthur issued General Order No. 1, which directed Japanese forces to surrender to designated Allied commanders across the Asia-Pacific region.

MacArthur arrived in Japan on 30 August 1945, before the formal signing ceremony. On 2 September, he presided over the ceremony aboard USS Missouri and signed the Instrument of Surrender on behalf of the Allied powers.

MacArthur’s wartime title should not be confused with Chester W. Nimitz’s role as a senior U.S. Navy commander in the Pacific. MacArthur led the occupation through the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers structure, which exercised authority over Japan until the occupation ended in 1952.