Japanese Instrument of Surrender

The Instrument of Surrender of Japan was the armistice ending World War II. It was signed by representatives of the Empire of Japan, the United States of America, the Republic of China, the United Kingdom, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Dominion of Canada, the Provisional Government of the French Republic, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the Dominion of New Zealand on the deck of the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945, and which thereby ended the Pacific War and with it World War II. The date is sometimes known as Victory over Japan Day, although that designation is more frequently used to refer to the date of Emperor Hirohito's announcement of the acceptance of the terms of the Potsdam Declaration on August 15.

Related Topics:
Armistice - World War II - Representatives - Empire of Japan - United States of America - Republic of China - United Kingdom - Union of Soviet Socialist Republics - Commonwealth of Australia - Dominion of Canada - French Republic - Kingdom of the Netherlands - Dominion of New Zealand - USS ''Missouri'' - Tokyo Bay - September 2 - 1945 - Pacific War - Victory over Japan Day - Announcement - Potsdam Declaration

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It was first signed by Japanese foreign minister Mamoru Shigemitsu "By Command and on behalf of the Emperor of Japan and the Japanese Government" and then Gen. Yoshijiro Umezu "By Command and on behalf of the Japanese

Related Topics:
Mamoru Shigemitsu - Yoshijiro Umezu

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Imperial General Headquarters" at 9:04 a.m. Afterwards, U.S. General Douglas MacArthur, Commander in the Southwest Pacific and Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, also signed. He was followed by Admiral Chester Nimitz for the United States, Hsu Yung-Ch'ang for the Republic of China, Bruce Fraser for the United Kingdom, Kuzma Derevyanko for the Soviet Union, Thomas Blamey for Australia, Colonel Lawrence Moore Cosgrave for Canada, General Philippe Leclerc de Hautecloque for France, C.E.L. Helfrich for the Netherlands, and Leonard M. Isitt for New Zealand.

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Douglas MacArthur - Chester Nimitz - Hsu Yung-Ch'ang - Bruce Fraser - Kuzma Derevyanko - Thomas Blamey - Colonel Lawrence Moore Cosgrave - Philippe Leclerc de Hautecloque - C.E.L. Helfrich - Leonard M. Isitt

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On September 6, Colonel Bernard Theilen brought the document and an imperial rescript to Washington, D.C. and, on the following day, presented them to President Harry Truman in a formal White House ceremony. The documents were then exhibited at the National Archives.

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September 6 - Washington, D.C. - Harry Truman - White House

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The document, prepared by the United States War Department, set out in eight short paragraphs the complete capitulation of Japan. The opening words "We, acting by command of and in behalf of the Emperor of Japan" signified the importance attached to the Emperor's role by the Americans who drafted the document. The short second paragraph went straight to the heart of the matter: "We hereby proclaim the unconditional surrender to the Allied Powers of the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters and of all Japanese armed forces and all armed forces under Japanese control wherever situated." The document demanded that Japan "carry out the provisions of the Potsdam Declaration" and free all allied prisoners of war.

Related Topics:
United States War Department - Potsdam Declaration - Prisoners of war

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