Sec 2 Chap 6 Life and Experiences during the Japanese Occupation PDF

Unit 4: Singapore’s Struggle for Independence Chapter 6: Life and Experiences during the Japanese Occupation 1. How did the Japanese torture Singaporeans/control the Singapore population? Harsh Punishments The Japanese punished those who were caught stealing and looted just before the B...

Unit 4: Singapore’s Struggle for Independence Chapter 6: Life and Experiences during the Japanese Occupation 1. How did the Japanese torture Singaporeans/control the Singapore population? Harsh Punishments The Japanese punished those who were caught stealing and looted just before the British surrender by chopping and displaying their heads/hands in public places The Kempeitai arrested and tortured those who were suspected of being Anti-Japanese Anti-Japanese suspects would be either beaten or tortured until they revealed information that the Japanese wanted or imprisoned and executed The Japanese did this to instil fear in the Singapore population, and make them afraid that they might be punished by the Japanese This did not make the Singapore population dare to go against Japanese rule Imprisoning the Allied Soldiers They imprisoned the British, Australians and Allied Europeans in Singapore as Prisoners-of-war (POWs) These POWs would be forced to march in public from Bukit Timah Road to Changi Prison and the barracks nearby where they would be imprisoned The Japanese did this as they wanted to dispel the myth of “White Man Superiority” by showing they had control over the British, this made the locals supportive of Japanese rule. The Japanese also did this to warn the locals not to resist Japanese rule, or they would be punished. Carrying out Operation Sook Ching The Kempeitai conducted Operation Sook Ching, which was a brutal purge, where people (especially Chinese men aged 18 to 50) were examined by the Japanese and their informants Those who were suspected to be involved in anti-Japanese activities would be taken away and killed These Chinese men would have to assemble at mass screening centres, which were located all over the island, to be examined by the Japanese Japanese records estimate that 6000 people were killed but other estimates showed the figure to be between 25000 and 50000 The Japanese viewed the Chinese as enemies due to the war with China since 1937. The Chinese population were the majority in Singapore and were hostile towards the Japanese, which entailed a boycott of Japanese goods and contributed funds to China’s efforts against Japan. Some even returned to China to join in the fight against the Japanese People were afraid to identify as anti-Japanese as they did not want to be killed Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge  People did not trust anyone and chose to keep to themselves and obey Japanese rule Coercing the Chinese Business Community The Japanese targeted the Chinese businessmen in Singapore due to their generous donations to the China Relief Fund, which supported China’s resistance against Japan The Overseas Chinese Association (OCA) was led by Dr. Lim Boon Keng to act as a channel of communication between the Chinese community and the Japanese government The Japanese demanded that the OCA gift 50 million Straits dollars to the Japanese administration This was to punish the Chinese community in Malaya and Singapore for supporting anti-Japanese war activities in China and British war efforts in Malaya and Singapore 2. How did the Japanese try to win the loyalty of Singaporeans? Use of Propaganda They tried to convince people to accept their vision of freeing Singapore from colonial rule to create “Asia for Asians” and help Asia prosper under a ‘Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere” This vision pressed for Japan to free Asian nations from the control of Western colonial powers and a united Asia that would benefit from sharing resources collectively. These messages were broadcasted through various media such as posters and radio broadcasts. The Japanese also tried to get the Indian community to look upon Japanese rule favourably They promised to help free India from the British as some Indian immigrants were influenced by anti-British settlements They did this by helping to set up the Indian National Army (INA) The INA was led by Subhas Chandra Bose, a well-known Indian politician that campaigned for India’s independence from British rule. The INA would recruit Indians to fight against the British in India. The Japanese used propaganda to brainwash the people by portraying themselves as liberators and would help to improve their lives This made the Singapore population more willing to support Japanese rule. Providing Benefits to the Locals They gave free housing, education and textbooks as well as rice, sugar and salt that was distributed to the less fortunate during Hari Raya Puasa Certain ethnic groups had favourable treatment such as Malays and Indians who were charged lower fees than the Chinese to cross the Causeway. Malays were also treated less harshly as the Malay nationalist organisation Kesatuan Melayu Muda (Union of Malay Youth /KMM) supported Japanese propaganda that promised better lives for Malays under an Asian power. Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge  By providing benefits to the locals, the locals would be more willing to support Japanese rule to receive rewards and better treatment during the war. 3. How did the Japanese try to impose Japanese culture on Singaporeans? Teaching and advocating the Japanese Language Students in schools were taught to speak and write in the Japanese language (Nippon-go) instead of English. Lessons were conducted daily over the schools’ broadcasting services Japanese education authorities published a series of Nippon-go readers for beginners, the books entailed of praise for the beauty and greatness of Japan Adults such as teachers had to also learn Nippon-go by attending language classes several times a week. Newspapers regularly featured Nippon-go lessons as well Competitions, awards, extra rations, salary increments were used to motivate people to learn the Japanese Language By imbuing the Japanese spirit in the Singapore population, they made locals believe that Japanese culture was superior, and start to be more willing to accept Japanese rule and proud of the Japanese identity. Cultivating the Japanese Spirit Students had to sing the Japanese national anthem (Kimigayo) and bow before the Japanese Emperor during the morning assembly Japanese folk songs were also taught in schools Daily mass exercises were broadcasted on public radio with instructions and rhythmic music to instil discipline and fitness among masses Selected youths received training in traditional Japanese martial arts such as kendo and judo These along with the introduction of the Japanese language went hand in hand with the promotion of Nippon seishin (Japanese spirit) By imbuing the Japanese spirit in the Singapore population, they made locals believe that Japanese culture was superior, and start to be more willing to accept Japanese rule and proud of the Japanese identity. 4. What was life like during the Japanese occupation? Struggles: Dealing with Shortages The import of goods from overseas was limited as the war had disrupted trade There was a shortage of food and essential items as the Japanese channelled these resources for their war efforts Essential food items such as rice, salt and sugar were strictly rationed. Ration cards were used to control and limit the amount of food and essential items that the locals could buy Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge  Inflation was drastic and prices skyrocketed as shops did not have enough items to cater to the needs of the people due to the shortage. This caused black markets to flourish as people were desperate to obtain basic necessities at a low cost. The shortage of essential goods led to a negative impact on Singaporeans. It led to starvation in society due to the high prices for basic necessities. Disease and Death People lived in poor conditions and suffered from diseases and death People were often malnourished due to the limited amount and variety of food This caused people to suffer and die from diseases such as beriberi, pneumonia and dysentery. The death rate increased by double the number between 1937 and 1940, a total of 130000 deaths were recorded during the Japanese Occupation Since there was almost no healthcare provided to the locals, many of them died of diseases. Furthermore, as there was poor sanitation, diseases spread faster Healthcare and sanitation worsened during the Japanese occupation due to cramped living conditions with poor sanitation ➔ Changi Prison held 5000 prisoners even though it was only designed for 600 prisoners Such living conditions were very crammed, leading to poor hygiene and the spread of diseases Harsh Working Conditions Prisoners of War (POWs) were used as forced labour They had to clear war damage, bury the dead and build Japanese memorial shrines Many were sent to work on the Siam-Burma Railway or known as the “Death Railway” where about 16000 people died This was due to horrific working conditions like the lack of proper tools, lack of food and regular beatings by the Japanese Relocations The Japanese encouraged people to strive for self-sufficiency by growing their own food such as vegetables and tapioca This failed to ease the food shortage and people were relocated to increase agricultural output The Chinese were encouraged to move to the Endau settlement in Johor as the soil there was rich and water was in ample supply, making it suitable for agriculture The settlement was self-sufficient and was proclaimed a great success. The settlement even had street lights, a hospital, a small chapel, a bank and several coffee shops Life was easier for those living in the settlement compared to back in Singapore Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge  They had fertile land to grow their own agriculture so they would not suffer from malnutrition The Japanese also created the Bahau settlement in Negeri Sembilan for Eurasians and Chinese Roman Catholics However, the land was too hilly and the soil was too poor to support agriculture, which made people eventually eat rats and maggots, and many died Due to the lack of food, many of them perished. This brought more insecurity to those in Singapore as they would run the risk of moving to the settlement. Leisure and Entertainment: Leisure and Entertainment Activities Some leisure and entertainment was allowed such as Japanese songs, Malay music and news in Hokkien and Cantonese Japanese movies and documentaries were available at cinemas as well as free open-air screenings of propaganda shows Sports activities such as baseball and badminton matches were advertised in the media Boxing matches were even organised at Kim Seng Road Cultural activities like a police band performance were held at Botanic Gardens. POWs also tried to organise social, religious and sporting activities such as publishing a newspaper, organising theatrical performances and church services This was to maintain the appearance of a harmonious and happy society in Singapore to the Japanese public back in Japan Furthermore, this reduced the stress of wartime conditions on the local population 5. What were the responses to Japanese rule? Collaboration Some worked together with the Japanese, especially the Malays, in administering Japanese rule. Their duties included policing and being part of neighbourhood associations that would report on suspected hostile activity against the regime Some Chinese became information for the Kempeitai to help to root out those seen to be anti-Japanese All races were given a chance to collaborate with the Japanese. These collaborators were given privileges like extra rations or special passes that exempted them from Japanese searches. This allowed them to not be seen as anti-Japanese by the Japanese. Thus, the chances of them being targeted would decrease. Some would also get certain benefits, such as more food rations. Resistance Some actively resisted the Japanese rule, and were subsequently tortured. Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge  The Malayan People’s Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA) and Force 136 were two prominent groups. They had the common goal of driving the Japanese out of Singapore and worked with the British to do so. MPAJA members would carry out sabotage attacks on officers and their men whenever they had the chance and distributed anti-Japanese newspapers and posters to arouse anti-Japanese sentiments Force 136 was set up by the British to gather information about the Japanese and organise sabotage activities. Although they risked their lives resisting the Japanese, they believed that they could not just stand and watch the poor treatment of the locals. 6. What problems were faced immediately after the Japanese surrendered? BMA: British Military Administration Economic Hardship Problems The BMA declared hat banana notes used during the Japanese Occupation were no longer the official currency of Singapore Those who did not keep Straits dollars from before the war had no money and had to borrow from others to survive Solutions Special grants were issued to help the people who did not have enough money. However, the grants were often not enough for large families to make ends meet Schooling Disruptions Problems The war had disrupted the schooling of many people in Singapore despite Japanese promises of greater educational opportunities Solutions To ensure the continuation of education, the BMA reopened schools quickly in October 1945 for children of schooling age as well as overaged children who received little education during the Japanese Occupation They also provided grants and waived school fees for children from needy families Food Shortages Problems Rice-producing countries like Thailand could not produce enough rice to sell Rice could hardly enter Singapore as the harbour was blocked by the sunken merchant ships Few warehouses available for rice to be stored and stocked up People suffered from malnutrition as their wages could not keep up with the rising food prices Solutions Harbours were cleared to allow ships to enter the port Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge  Prices of essential food supplies such as vegetables, fresh fish, salt and sugar were controlled. Free meals were given to children below six People’s Restaurant and People’s Canteen was set up to provide food at affordable prices There were 10 People’s Restaurants by the end of 1946 Summary The Japanese used force and tried to win the loyalty of the locals to control Singapore. While all were struggling for survival, there was still room for some leisure and entertainment. However, after the Japanese surrendered, there were still problems faced by the locals which were generally worsened during the Japanese Occupation. Legend: yellow: describe, green: explain If notes are in black, explanation part to be added using main contextual/common knowledge