740.00119 FEAC/4–1746
Directive by President Truman to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in Japan ( MacArthur )
Instruments for the Surrender of Japan
General Order No. 1
military and naval
I. The Imperial General Headquarters by direction of the Emperor, and pursuant to the surrender to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers of all Japanese armed forces by the Emperor, hereby orders all of its commanders in Japan and abroad to cause the Japanese armed forces and the Japanese-controlled forces under their command to cease hostilities at once, to lay down their arms, to remain in their present locations and to surrender unconditionally to commanders acting on behalf of the United States, the Republic of China, the United Kingdom and the British Empire, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, as indicated hereafter or as may be further directed by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers. Immediate contact will be made with the indicated commanders, or their designated representatives, subject to any changes in detail prescribed by the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, and their instructions will be completely and immediately carried out.
- (a)
- The senior Japanese commanders and all ground, sea, air and auxiliary forces within China, (excluding Manchuria), Formosa and French Indo-China North of 16 degrees North latitude, shall surrender to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek.
- (b)
- The senior Japanese commanders and all ground, sea, air and auxiliary forces within Manchuria, Korea North of 38 degrees North latitude, Karafuto, and the Kurile Islands, shall surrender to the Commander in Chief of Soviet Forces in the Far East.
- (c)
- (1) The senior Japanese commanders and all ground, sea, air, and auxiliary forces within the Andamans, Nicobars, Burma, Thailand, French Indo-China south of 16 degrees north latitude, Malaya, Sumatra, Java, Lesser Sundas (including Bali, Lombok, and Timor), Boeroe, Cerem, Ambon, Kai, Aroe, Tanimbar and islands in the Arafura Sea, Celebes, Halmaheras and Dutch New Guinea shall surrender to the Supreme Allied Commander, Southeast Asia Command.
- (2) The senior Japanese commanders and all ground, sea, air and auxiliary forces within Borneo, British New Guinea, Bismarcks and the Solomons shall surrender to the Commander in Chief, Australian Military Forces.
- (d)
- The senior Japanese commanders and all ground, sea, air and auxiliary forces in the Japanese mandated Islands, Bonins, and other Pacific Islands shall surrender to the Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet.
- (e)
- The Imperial General Headquarters, its senior commanders, and all ground, sea, air and auxiliary forces in the main islands of Japan, minor islands adjacent thereto, Korea South of 38 degrees North latitude, Ryukus, and the Philippines shall surrender to the Commander in Chief, U. S. Army Forces, Pacific.
- (f)
- The above indicated commanders are the only representatives of the Allied Powers empowered to accept surrender, and all surrenders of Japanese Forces shall be made only to them or to their representatives.
The Japanese Imperial General Headquarters further orders its commanders in Japan and abroad to disarm completely all forces of Japan or under Japanese control wherever they may be situated, and to deliver intact and in safe and good condition all weapons and equipment at such time and at such places as may be prescribed by the Allied commanders indicated above.
Pending further instructions, the Japanese police force in the main islands of Japan will be exempt from this disarmament provision. The police force will remain at their posts and shall be held responsible for the preservation of law and order. The strength of arms of such a police force will be prescribed.
[Here follow Sections II–XIII, dealing exclusively with Japanese aspects of the surrender.]