Thanks for the input RisingSun, Chevan and 32Bravo.
IMO the Germans tended to fight more fiercely against the Soviets and surrender more readily to the Western allies partly out of fear of falling into the hands of the Soviets and the belief that they would receive better treatment at the hands of the Western allies.
Tropical disease also had an effect on allied forces in the pacific too. Although, the allies tended to look after their sick and wounded better.
IIRC the Japanese Kwantung army consisted of lower quality troops with very little in the way of anti-tank weapons to counter Soviet armor. Not to diminish the speed and scale of the Soviet victory.
The Japanese never seemed to do well against the Soviets. They were soundly beaten by the Soviets in 1939 at the Battle of Khalkhin Gol. The Soviet commander was none other than general Georgy Zhukov.
Below are links to some simplified brief overviews of the Battles of Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Khalkhin Gol.
Battle of Iwo Jima
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iwo_Jima
February 19, 1945 – March 16, 1945
Location Iwo Jima, Japan
U.S. victory
US Forces
110,000
US Forces Losses
4,197 killed in action
19,189 wounded
1,401 died of wounds
494 missing
Japanese Forces
22,000
Japanese Forces Losses
20,703 killed
216 captured
Battle of Okinawa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Okinawa
April 1, 1945 - June 21, 1945
Location Okinawa, Japan
Allied victory.
US / British Empire Forces
548,000 regulars,
1300 ships,
? aircraft
US / British Empire Forces Losses
12,513 dead or missing,
38,916 wounded,
33,096 non-combat wounded,
79 ships sunk & scrapped,
763 aircraft destroyed
Japanese Forces
100,000 regulars & militia,
? ships,
? aircraft
Japanese Forces Losses
66,000 dead or missing,
17,000 wounded,
7,455 captured,
16 ships sunk & scrapped,
7,830 aircraft destroyed,
140,000 civilians dead or missing
Battle of Khalkhin Gol
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Khalkin_Gol
May 11 - September 16, 1939
Location Khalkhin Gol, Mongolia
Decisive Soviet and Mongolian victory
Soviet Forces
57,000
Soviet Forces Losses
6,831 killed, 15,952 wounded (stated estimate)
Japanese Forces
30,000
Japanese Losses
8,440 killed, 8,766 wounded (stated estimate)