Who signed Japan’s surrender as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers?

Douglas MacArthur signed Japan’s surrender as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.

MacArthur signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender on 2 September 1945 aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. His signature came after the two Japanese representatives had signed and before representatives of the individual Allied nations added their names.

His position was not simply that of a U.S. commander. By signing as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, MacArthur accepted the surrender on behalf of the nations that had fought Japan. He then led the Allied occupation of Japan, overseeing demilitarization and major political and legal reforms.

Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz signed next as the U.S. representative. The two commanders had different wartime roles: MacArthur led major operations in the Southwest Pacific, while Nimitz commanded the U.S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas.