Singaporeans’ Experience During the Japanese Occupation
Started on 15 February 1942.
Lasted until 12 September 1945
Singapore renamed to Syonan-to
Methods the Japanese used to control Singapore
Using Force
Meeting out harsh punishments
Imprisoning Allied Soldiers
Carrying out Opperation Sook Ching
Coercing the Chinese Business Community
Winning Loyalty
Imposing Japanese culture
Providing Benefits to the Locals
Using Propaganda
Teaching the Japanese Language
Cultivating the Japanese Spirit
Execute any criminals or threats seen by the Japanese
Executed publicly and heads were displayed on public places
Example: Kempeitai (Japanese Military Police) beaten up and tortured anyone they suspect until they revealed info
British, Australians and Allied Europeans in Singapore (Prisoners of War) including women and children, were forced to March from Bukit Timah Road to Changi prison
Eliminating anti-Japanese elements among the local population
Japanese targeted Chinese businessman in Singapore as to their generous contributions to the China Relief fund, which supported China’s resistance against Japan
Japanese portrayed themselves as liberators who had come to free Asians from Colonial Rule.
Example : Influence on the Indian community to form the Indian National Army (INA) to rise up and fight the British with Japanese support
Schools and accommodation at no cost
Appealed to some enteric groups by giving them favourable treatment
Giving rice, sugar and salt to the less fortunate for Hari Raya Puasa
Nippon-Go. Students were taught to speak Japanese in a place of English
Daily masses introduced to locals to instil discipline and promote fitness among the masses
Life like under the Japanese
Survival
Leisure and entertainment
Dealing with shortages
Essential items were obatained using ration coupons
Prices of essential goods increase rapidly, causing drastic inflation
Black Market flourished and Japanese Government printed more money (banana money)
Disease and death
Food shortages
Living conditions
POW were forced to work on the ‘Death Railway’
Japanese government introduces radio programmes consisting of Japanese songs, Malay music and news in Hokkien and Cantonese
Local’s response to Japanese Rule
Collaboration
Resistance
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