Which of the following symbols is used to terminate a Java program statement?

In Java, a semicolon is used to terminate a statement. This punctuation mark indicates the end of a complete thought or instruction in the code, allowing the Java compiler to understand where one statement ends and another begins. For example, when you write an assignment like int x = 10;, the semicolon signals that this line of code is a complete instruction. Without it, the compiler would throw an error as it would not be able to determine where statements begin and end.

The other symbols mentioned have different functionalities in programming. The colon is often used in various contexts but is not used to terminate statements; it's frequently involved in conditional expressions or as part of the syntax for certain control structures. A comma is used to separate items in a list, such as in method parameters or array initializations, but does not indicate the end of a statement. A period is primarily used for member access, such as accessing attributes or methods of a class, rather than terminating statements. Thus, the semicolon is specifically designated for concluding statements in Java, making it the correct answer.