The "Japanese Instrument of Surrender" was a formal document signed on September 2, 1945, marking the end of World War II. This document was signed aboard the USS Missouri, a battleship in Tokyo Bay, by representatives of the Empire of Japan and the Allied Powers. It officially accepted the terms of surrender outlined in the Potsdam Declaration, which called for Japan's unconditional surrender. The signing ceremony was attended by key figures, including General Douglas MacArthur, who represented the Allies, and Japanese Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu. The event symbolized Japan's defeat and the conclusion of a conflict that had lasted for over six years, leading to significant geopolitical changes in the region.