How did the Japanese establish control in SG?

Methods the japanese used to control SG:

-Using force
● Meeting out harsh punishments
● Imprisoning allied soldiers
● Carrying out operation sook ching
● Coercing the chinese business community
-Winning loyalty
● Using propaganda
● Providing benefits to the locals
● Imposing japanese culture(teaching japanese culture+cultivating japanese spirit)

USING FORCE

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(outside
Cathay)
❖ The Kempeitai arrested+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/ imprisoned & executed.
❖ The Japanese did this to instill fear in the SG population, and make them afraid that they
might be punished by the Japanese.
❖ Many people learnt to go about their business quietly and not appear disobedient in case
they drew unwanted attention of the Japanese authorities
Imprisoning the Allied Soldiers
❖ They imprisoned the British, Australians & Allied Eurpeans in SG as
Prisoners-Of-Wars(POWs)
❖ These POWs were forced to march in public from Bukit Timah road to Changi Prison and
the barracks nearby where they would be imprisoned.
Carrying out Operation Sook Ching
❖ The Kempeitai conducted Operation Sook Ching , which was a brutal purge, where
people (especially chinese men aged 18-50) were examined by the Japanese & their
informants.
❖ Those who were suspected to be involved in anti-japanese 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 show the
figure to be between 25 000 - 50 000
❖ The japanese viewed the chinese as enemies due to the war with china since 1937.
 ❖ 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 & advocating the Japanese language

❖ Students in school were taught to speak & 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 book entailed of praise for the beauty & 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 language.
Cultivating the Japanese Spirit.
❖ Students had to sing the Japanese national anthem(Kimigayo) and bow before the
Japanese Emperor during Morning Assembly.
❖ Japanese folk songs were also taught in schools
❖ Daily mass exercises were broadcasted on public radio with instructions and rhythmic
music to instill discipline & 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)
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 & essential items as the Japanese channelled these
resources for their war efforts .
❖ Essential food items such as rice, salt & sugar was strictly rationed. Ration cards were
used to control & limit the amt of food & essential items locals could buy.
❖ Inflation was drastic & prices skyrocketed as shops did not have enough items to cater to
the needs of people due to shortage.
❖ This caused black markets to flourish as people were desperate to obtain basic
necessities at low cost.

Disease & Death:

❖ People living in poor conditions
❖ Malnourished- limited amt & variety of food (died from beri beri, pneumonia)
❖ Death rate increased by double the number between 1937-1940, 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. -poor sanitation-disease spread faster
 ❖ Malayan People’s Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA) & force 136 were 2 prominent group.
They had the common goal of driving the Japanese out of SG & worked with the British
to do so.
❖ MPAJA members carried out sabotage attacks on officers & their men whenever they
had the chance & distributed anti-Japanese newspapers & posters to arouse
anti-japanese sentiment.
❖ Force 136 was set up by the British to gather info about the Japanese & organise
sabotage activities.
What problems were faced immediately after the Japanese surrendered?
-BMA: British Military administration
Economic Hardship
Problems:
❖ The BMA declared on 7 sep 1945 that banana notes be used during the Japanese
Occupation were no longer the official currency of SG.
❖ Those who did not keep Straits dollar from before the war had no money & had to
borrow from others to survive.
Solutions:
❖ Special grants were issued to locals. - grants were often not enough for large families.

Schooling disruptions
Problems:
❖ The war had disrupted the schooling of many people in SG despite Japanese promises
to greater educational opportunities.
Solutions:
❖ To ensure the continuation of education, the BMA reopened schools quickly in Oct 1945
for children of schooling age as well as overaged children who received little education
during the Japanese Occupation.
❖ They also provided grants & waived school fees for needy children.
❖ By March 1946, 62 000 students were enrolled in schools.

Food Shortages
Problem:
❖ Rice producing countries like Thailand were unable to produce enough rice to sell.
❖ RIce could hardly enter SG as the harbor was blocked by the sunken merchant ships.
❖ Few warehouses available for rice to be stored & stocked up.
❖ People suffered from malnutrition as their wages could not keep up with the rising food
prices.
Solution:
❖ Harbors were cleared to allow ships to enter the ports.
❖ Prices of essential food supplies such as veg, fresh fish , salt & sugar were controlled.
❖ Free meals given to children under 6.
❖ People’s restaurant & People’s canteen set up to provide food at affordable prices.
❖ There were 10 people’s restaurants by the end of 1946.