Who was Japan’s prime minister when it announced surrender in August 1945?

Kantarō Suzuki was Japan’s prime minister when the country announced its surrender in August 1945.

Suzuki served as prime minister from April 7 to August 17, 1945. His cabinet governed during the final months of the Pacific War, including the Potsdam Declaration, the atomic bombings, the Soviet attack on Japan, and the surrender decision announced by Emperor Hirohito.

Suzuki was an admiral and politician, and he led a divided government. On August 14, he attended the imperial conference at which Hirohito decided that Japan would accept the Allied terms. Japan’s surrender announcement followed on August 15, and Suzuki resigned two days later.

Hideki Tojo was prime minister earlier in the war, while Kuniaki Koiso preceded Suzuki. Prince Naruhiko Higashikuni succeeded Suzuki after the surrender announcement, taking office on August 17, 1945.