Final answer:
The fighting in the Pacific continued after Victory in Europe Day until the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leading to Japan's surrender and the end of World War II in the Pacific.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Allies claimed victory in Europe on May 8, 1945, a day commemorated as V-E Day. However, the fighting in the Pacific Theatre continued until the pivotal event of the dropping of atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These drastic actions by the United States led to the surrender of Japan and the official end of World War II in the Pacific.
The Allied invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and the Soviet occupation of Manchuria and northern Korea, were significant events in the Pacific Theatre that contributed to weakening Japan's position in the war before the atomic bombings. The Allied forces adopted the strategy of island hopping to draw closer to Japan and heavily employed aerial and naval strength. The horrific casualties on Okinawa, and the use of kamikaze tactics by the Japanese, underlined the fierce resistance the Allies were up against.
After Japan's surrender, the terms stipulated the relinquishment of Japanese control over previously occupied territories and marked the commencement of a postwar era of rebuilding and demilitarization for Japan. This led to the crafting of a new constitution for Japan, focusing on demilitarization and human rights, signaling a monumental shift in the Pacific region.