On 8 May 1945, these arrangements were put into effect in full, notwithstanding that the only German parties to the signed surrender document had been the German High Command. The western Allies maintained that a functioning German state had already ceased to exist, and that consequently the surrender of the German military had effected the complete termination of Nazi Germany. The protecting powers complied fully with the Allied demands: Sweden, Switzerland and Ireland announced the breaking off of relations; consequently the German state ceased as a diplomatic entity on 8 May 1945. The diplomatic staffs of neutral countries still in Germany were thus recalled, while those of countries at war with the Allies (most notably Japanese ambassador Hiroshi Ōshima and his legation) were taken prisoner by the Allies. The Empire of Japan, which after the German surrender was effectively the only remaining Axis belligerent, had already denounced the German surrender and the Flensburg government and seized the German embassy in Tokyo and seven U-boats.