Treaty of San Francisco — peace treaty between Japan and the Allied Powers of World War II, officially ending the American-led Allied Occupation of Japan.
Ended Allied occupation of Japan, restored Japanese sovereignty, and established the postwar framework defining Japan-US relations.
Key Facts
- Date signed
- September 8, 1951
- Nations signing
- 49 nations
- Treaty in force
- April 28, 1952
- Signing venue
- War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco
- Notable absentees
- Italy, China, Korea not invited
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following Japan's defeat in World War II, Allied powers occupied Japan and sought a formal legal resolution to end the state of war, address war crimes reparations, and reintegrate Japan into the international community under principles aligned with the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
On September 8, 1951, representatives of 49 nations signed the Treaty of San Francisco at the War Memorial Opera House, formally ending the legal state of war with Japan, terminating the Allied military occupation, and compelling Japan to accept the judgments of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East under Article 11.
The treaty, which came into force on April 28, 1952, restored full Japanese sovereignty, ended Japan's imperial role, allocated compensation to Allied nations and former prisoners of war, and, together with the Security Treaty signed the same day, inaugurated the San Francisco System governing Japan's postwar relationship with the United States.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent