Japan's Surrender
Contributor: C. Peter Chen
With Hiroshima and Nagasaki destroyed, Emperor Showa's (Hirohito) will was tested. Then it came the news that the Russians declared war on Japan, taking Manchuria on the same day. He made up his mind. He broke the deadlock at his council, which could not decide whether to bow to the Allies demand of an unconditional surrender. Emperor Showa said at the Imperial conference:
The council obeyed the Emperor's edict, and started the negotiation process with the Allies through the neutral Switzerland, making only one demand that Emperor Showa would not be removed from power.
Surprising most of Japan, Emperor Showa of Japan announced his intention to surrender to the Allies unconditionally over public radio on 14 Aug 1945. It was the first time Japanese commoners heard an Emperor's voice, and most of them did not understand his Imperial court dialect, adding to his mysteriousness. His message, however defeated, did not once include the word "defeat", perhaps reflecting his refusal to face the reality that Japan had lost the war. His radio address was translated as follows:
To our good and loyal subjects:
After pondering deeply the general trends of the world and the actual conditions obtaining in our Empire today, we have decided to effect a settlement of the present situation by resorting to an extraordinary measure.
We have ordered our Government to communicate to the Governments of the United States, Great Britain, China, and the Soviet Union that our Empire accepts the provisions of their joint declaration.
To strive for the common prosperity and happiness of all nations as well as the security and well- being of our subjects is the solemn obligation that has been handed down by our Imperial Ancestors, and we lay it close to the heart.
Indeed, we declared war on America and Britain out of our sincere desire to ensure Japan's self- preservation and the stabilization of East Asia, it being far from our thought either to infringe upon the sovereignty of other nations or to embark upon territorial aggrandizement.
But now the war has lasted for nearly four years. Despite the best that has been done by everyone-- the gallant fighting of the military and naval forces, the diligence and assiduity of our servants of the state and the devoted service of our 100 million people--the war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan's advantage, while the general trends of the world have all turned against her interest.
Moreover, the enemy has begun to employ a new and most cruel bomb, the power of which to do damage is, indeed, incalculable, taking the toll of many innocent lives. Should we continue to fight, it would not only result in an ultimate collapse and obliteration of the Japanese nation, but also it would lead to the total extinction of human civilization.
Such being the case, how are we to save the millions of our subjects, or to atone ourselves before the hallowed spirits of our Imperial Ancestors? This is the reason why we have ordered the acceptance of the provisions of the joint declaration of the powers.
We cannot but express the deepest sense of regret to our allied nations of East Asia, who have consistently cooperated with the Empire toward the emancipation of East Asia.
The thought of those officers and men as well as others who have fallen in the fields of battle, those who died at their posts of duty, and those who met with death and all their bereaved families, pains our heart night and day.
The welfare of the wounded and the war sufferers, and of those who have lost their homes and livelihood is the object of our profound solicitude. The hardships and suffering to which our nation is to be subjected hereafter will be certainly great.
We are keenly aware of the inmost feelings of all you, our subjects. However, it is according to the dictates of time and fate that we have resolved to pave the way for a grand peace for all the generations to come by enduring the unendurable and suffering what is insufferable. Having been able to save and maintain the structure of the Imperial State, we are always with you, our good and loyal subjects, relying upon your sincerity and integrity.
Beware most strictly of any outbursts of emotion that may engender needless complications, and of any fraternal contention and strife that may create confusion, lead you astray and cause you to lose the confidence of the world.
Let the entire nation continue as one family from generation to generation, ever firm in its faith in the imperishableness of its divine land, and mindful of its heavy burden of responsibilities, and the long road before it. Unite your total strength to be devoted to the construction for the future. Cultivate the ways of rectitude, nobility of spirit, and work with resolution so that you may enhance the innate glory of the Imperial State and keep pace with the progress of the world.
All you, our subjects, we command you to act in accordance with our wishes.
Despite the Emperor's urging, a small group refused to admit defeat. A group of military servicemen, many of them Kamikaze pilots, mutinied. Believing that the Emperor had been abducted by those who were really behind the surrender, they attacked the Imperial Palace, killing the general of the Imperial Guard Division before the small rebellion was subdued. This small rebellion made the Allies nervous. By sending Douglas MacArthur to Japan, would they be sending the Allied commander into a trap? MacArthur did not believe so, and he was right. Upon reaching Atsugi Airfield outside of the naval district of Yokohama, he was treated with utmost respect. Two Japanese divisions guarded the roadway between the airfield and Yokohama's New Grand Hotel, with their backs facing MacArthur, which was the same respect they would give the Emperor. As MacArthur planned the formal surrender, he also immediately embarked on a mission to free prisoners of war, including his comrade of the Philippines days Jonathan Wainwright from a camp in Mukden.
Tokyo Bay Surrender Ceremony
The date of Japan's formal surrender was 2 Sep 1945, and it took place aboard American battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay. That morning, the Japanese delegation boarded American destroyers for Missouri. Toshikazu Kase of the Foreign Ministry was a member of the delegation, who noted his impression of the Allied show of force in Tokyo Bay as he approached in USS Landsdown.
After Kase arrived, he observed that
"We are gathered here, representatives of the major warring powers, to conclude a solemn agreement whereby peace may be restored", said MacArthur to start the ceremony. Amidst American, British, and other Allied warships, Japanese foreign minister Mamoru Shigemitsu "[b]y Command and on behalf of the Emperor of Japan and the Japanese Government" and General Yoshijiro Umezu "[b]y Command and on behalf of the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters" surrendered. For the Allies, MacArthur represented the United States and the Allied command, Chester Nimitz represented the United States, Hsu Yung-Ch'ang for China, Bruce Fraser for the United Kingdom, Kuzma Derevyanko for the Soviet Union, Thomas Blamey for Australia, Colonel Lawrence Moore Cosgrave for Canada, General Jacques LeClerc for France, Conrad E.L. Helfrich for the Netherlands, and Leonard Isitt signed the surrender document for New Zealand. British Arthur Percival and American Jonathan Wainwright, generals who were imprisoned by the Japanese early on in the war, were invited to witness the historical event.
The text of the instrument of surrender was as follows:
We, acting by command of and in behalf of the Emperor of Japan, the Japanese Government and the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters, hereby accept the provisions set forth in the declaration issued by the Heads of the Governments of the United States, China, and Great Britain on 26 July 1945 at Potsdam, and subsequently adhered to by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, which four powers are hereafter referred to as the Allied Powers.
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 the Japanese control wherever situated.
We hereby command all Japanese forces wherever situated and the Japanese people to cease hostilities forthwith, to preserve and save from damage all ships, aircraft, and military and civil property and to comply with all requirements which may be imposed by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers or by agencies of the Japanese Government at his direction.
We hereby command the Japanese Imperial Headquarters to issue at once orders to the Commanders of all Japanese forces and all forces under Japanese control wherever situated to surrender unconditionally themselves and all forces under their control.
We hereby command all civil, military and naval officials to obey and enforce all proclamations, and orders and directives deemed by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers to be proper to effectuate this surrender and issued by him or under his authority and we direct all such officials to remain at their posts and to continue to perform their non-combatant duties unless specifically relieved by him or under his authority.
We hereby undertake for the Emperor, the Japanese Government and their successors to carry out the provisions of the Potsdam Declaration in good faith, and to issue whatever orders and take whatever actions may be required by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers or by any other designated representative of the Allied Powers for the purpose of giving effect to that Declaration.
We hereby command the Japanese Imperial Government and the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters at once to liberate all allied prisoners of war and civilian internees now under Japanese control and to provide for their protection, care, maintenance and immediate transportation to places as directed.
The authority of the Emperor and the Japanese Government to rule the state shall be subject to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers who will take such steps as he deems proper to effectuate these terms of surrender.
Signed at TOKYO BAY, JAPAN at 0904 on the SECOND day of SEPTEMBER, 1945
MAMORU SHIGEMITSU
By Command and on Behalf of the Emperor of Japan and the Japanese Government
YOSHIJIRO UMEZU
By Command and on Behalf of the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters
Accepted at TOKYO BAY, JAPAN at 0908 on the SECOND day of SEPTEMBER, 1945, for the United States, Republic of China, United Kingdom and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and in the interests of the other United Nations at war with Japan.
DOUGLAS MAC ARTHUR
Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers
C.W. NIMITZ
United States Representative
HSU YUNG-CH'ANG
Republic of China Representative
BRUCE FRASER
United Kingdom Representative
KUZMA DEREVYANKO
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Representative
THOMAS BLAMEY
Commonwealth of Australia Representative
L. MOORE COSGRAVE
Dominion of Canada Representative
JACQUES LE CLERC
Provisional Government of the French Republic Representative
C.E.L. HELFRICH
Kingdom of the Netherlands Representative
LEONARD M. ISITT
Dominion of New Zealand Representative
When all signed the document, MacArthur approached the microphone and drew the war to a close: "Let us pray that peace be now restored to the world, and that God will preserve it always. These proceedings are closed."
Other Surrender Ceremonies
The surrender ceremony at Rabaul took place on 6 Sep 1945 aboard the British carrier Glory.
Surrender ceremony in Korea took place in the Government Building in Seoul on 9 Sep 1945.
The surrender ceremony at Nanjing, China was represented by General Yasuji Okamura, the head of the China Expeditionary Army, on 9 Sep 1945. He surrendered all Japanese forces in the China-Burma-India Theater.
On 25 Oct 1945 in Zhongshan Hall, Taipei, Chinese representative Chen Yi accepted the Japanese surrender of Formosa.
Sources: Darkest Hour, the Pacific Campaign, Reminiscences, Wikipedia.
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Winston Churchill
12 May 2005 09:06:07 PM
my uncle clell morris died in world war 11 when his ship was blown up by the **** . iam trying to retrieve any info concerning his death and any medals he may have been awarded which his family has not recieved.any info you may have would be so appreciated.
9 Jul 2005 01:10:16 PM
ok this person is below is retarted
wats**** he must be retarted or a **** !!!!!!
30 Mar 2006 07:25:51 PM
My father, his rank at the time, Lt. Col. Elwood McSherry, was on McArthurs staff, and was at the signing on the Missouri, and I am still trying to find his picture. Could you help me?
Thank you.
25 Jul 2006 02:51:02 PM
amazing research and info in here. thanks for the help on the school project.
15 Aug 2007 07:18:12 PM
Included in the UNCONDITIONAL Potsdam Surrender Papers was the return of the Ryukyu Islands to the Ryukyuan people via the Cairo Accords of 1943
31 Dec 2007 06:34:43 AM
Oh my God, this site is amazing! It helped me out so much. Thank you!!
30 Dec 2008 03:52:40 AM
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11 Jan 2009 10:22:08 AM
wow i am on a report looking up info about hirohito and all of it is different why is that i mean i have to get a good grade on it so you should have the right info about him and his life i mean it seriously!!!!
21 Feb 2009 04:33:26 PM
Dec.7th 1941 My Father Henry W. De Nomie, like thousands of other American's applied for military service. As he waited, he found work in the defense industry my father moved from position to position, his last position, was testing the machinery for navy torpedos, balancing the contra-rotating propeller blades and final-inspection. My father was exempt from military service due to his war-time position, but all my uncle's served in the army. Dad had to give demo's to all the military brass, and high ranking civilians that would tour the factory during the war. Dad lived a long life, he passed away Nov. 5, 2007 he was 88 years old. I LOVE YOU DAD. Not much is published about war production, and the men and women who worked long and hard to witness the final victory over Japan, Germany and Italy, they were " THE GREATEST GENERATION " War production was 24 hrs a day 7 days a week, 365 day a year. The un-told story of the thousands of worker's who were injuried and died as a result of war production.........
26 Apr 2009 04:52:03 PM
My father served with the USS California in WW2. He keeps telling me a story about being part of the 1st US boarding party in Wakayama Wan the day after the war ended. When the boarding party landed there was no one in sight. After moving a short distance inland, a small boy suddenly appeared. My father motioned him to come over. He dug into his pocket and gave him a candy. The boy followed him a short distance then went away. I am just wondering if by chance anyone knows what became of that little boy or remembers anything about that day?
18 May 2009 04:48:21 PM
Did you know, that 300,000 Americans died or were injured working in factories during World War II. War production was 24 hours a day,7 days a week, 365 days a year. By 1943 the United States produced more then Germany, Japan and Italy together
20 Aug 2009 07:08:28 PM
is it true the s-44 crashed in a japanes combat ship an sink