September 2, 1945 - Aboard the U.S.S. Missouri anchored in Tokyo Bay, representatives of the Japanese government and the Allied powers gathered to sign an instrument of surrender which in effect, formally ended World War II. At that moment, Japan surrendered its sovereignty and became an occupied nation. The American Soldier's call to duty in Japan presented a variety of challenges. Yet out of the rubble of war, rose a nation far removed from a past of oppressive militarization, and empowered with a new vision of democratic ideals.