By Harry Pot / Anefo - http://proxy.handle.net/10648/aa04ea68-d0b4-102d-bcf8-003048976d84, CC0, Wikimedia Commons The Duke of Edinburgh served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, and during that time, he found himself in a place that he was never meant to be: Tokyo Bay on VJ (Victory over Japan) Day in 1945. Just before midnight on 9 August, Japanese Emperor Hirohito convened the Supreme War Council. After a long debate and a proposal by Prime Minister Suzuki, Japan eventually accepted the Potsdam Declaration. The Potsdam Declaration was an ultimatum issued by the United States, Great Britain, and China. Issued on 26 July 1945, the declaration called for the unconditional surrender of Japan. Japan surrendered on 15 August, which is now known as Victory over Japan Day. However, the surrender was not formally signed until 2 September.