Britannica
Sources used in this answer
- Empire of Japan - From Midway to Hiroshima
- World War II - The Japanese surrender
- Pacific War - The Japanese surrender
- World War II: Top Questions
- atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki - The Japanese surrender
- 9 Questions About World War II Answered
- atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
- Pacific War - Peacemaking
- Pacific War
- 20th-century international relations - The organization of power in the Pacific
How did the Pacific War come to an end?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Pacific War
U.S. troops advancing on Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, in 1943, during World War II.
The Pacific War concluded with Japan's formal surrender on September 2, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. This followed a series of devastating events, including the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. The Soviet Union's declaration of war on Japan on August 8 also contributed to the decision to surrender. Despite internal military opposition, Emperor Hirohito urged his people to accept the surrender terms, which preserved the imperial institution. The formal surrender marked the end of World War II.123456