Treaty of San Francisco
War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco, California, USA
What happened
Japan and 48 of the Allied nations of the Second World War. Japan and most of the Allied nations met in San Francisco to make a formal peace. The treaty ended the state of war and the Allied occupation of Japan, and gave Japan back its full independence. Japan gave up its claims to territories including Taiwan and the Kuril Islands, and agreed to pay compensation.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It restored Japan's sovereignty and shaped its relations with the United States and its neighbours after the war. Some countries, including the Soviet Union, refused to sign, and China and Korea were not invited.
What came next
The treaty came into force on 28 April 1952. Japan later signed separate peace agreements with countries including India, Burma, the Soviet Union and Indonesia.
Did you know?
Ceylon's delegate, J. R. Jayewardene, refused reparations, quoting the Buddha: 'hatred ceases not by hatred but by love'.
Timeline
- 1945The UN conference is held at the War Memorial Opera House.
- 8 September 1951The Treaty of San Francisco is signed.
- 28 April 1952The treaty comes into force.
- 19 October 1956Japan and the Soviet Union end their state of war.
- 1972The Ryukyu Islands return to Japan.