Japanese Occupation of Singapore facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Japanese-occupied Singapore
Syonanto
昭南島 Shōnantō |
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| 1942–1945 | |||||||||
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| Status | Military occupation by the Empire of Japan | ||||||||
| Capital | Singapore | ||||||||
| Government | Military occupation | ||||||||
| Historical era | World War II | ||||||||
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• Pacific War begins
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8 December 1941a | ||||||||
15 February 1942 |
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| Nov 1944 – May 1945 | |||||||||
| 15 August 1945 | |||||||||
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• Singapore surrendered to British Military Administration
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12 September 1945 |
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• Singapore becomes a Crown colony
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1 April 1946 |
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| Currency | Japanese-issued dollar ("Banana money") | ||||||||
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| Today part of |  Singapore |
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The Japanese Occupation of Singapore refers to the period in the history of Singapore between 1942 and 1945, when Japanese forces occupied Singapore during World War II, after having defeated the combined Australian, British, Indian and Malayan garrison.
The occupation was to become a major turning point in the history of several nations, including that of Japan, the United Kingdom, and the then colony of Singapore itself. Singapore was renamed Syonan-to (昭南島 Shōnan-tō, "Light of the South Island" or "Radiant South" in Japanese) by the Japanese.
Events leading to the occupation
The Japanese captured all of Malaya during the Malayan Campaign in a little more than two months. The garrison defending Singapore surrendered on 15 February 1942, only a week after the invasion of the island commenced. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill called the fall of Singapore "the worst disaster and largest capitulation in British history".
Education
After taking Singapore, the Japanese established the Shonan Japanese School, to educate Malays, Chinese, Indians, and Eurasians. To discourage Western influence, the Japanese forced people to learn their language. Textbooks were printed in Japanese. Every morning, children had to stand facing the direction of Japan and sing the Japanese national anthem ("Kimigayo").
End of the Occupation
On the 6th and 9th of August, 1945, US B-29 bombers dropped two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The United States had remained a neutral party during World War II until the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was a decisive move in ending the Japanese Occupation of Southeast Asia.
By this time, the Japanese forces had lost their will to continue the war and allowed Allied forces to send in reinforcements and food supplies. Prisoners-of-war were checked by the medical officers and arrangements were made to send them home. On August 15, 1945, Japan announced their surrender. The formal signing of the surrender instrument was held at the City Hall, Singapore, then known as the "Municipal Hall", on September 12, 1945.
Banana money quickly became worthless after the Occupation ended, and many individuals whose wealth had been mostly in such currency found themselves penniless overnight.
Images for kids
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Singapore in 1945
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A ten-dollar "Banana Money" note issued during the war
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A cheering crowd welcomes the return of British forces on 5 September 1945
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The 5th Indian Division pass through the streets shortly after landing as part of the reoccupation force.
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The Civilian War Memorial in the War Memorial Park at Beach Road. The four columns are a symbolic representation of the four major races of Singapore, namely the Chinese, Malays, Indians, and Eurasians.
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The Sook Ching Centre Monument at Hong Lim Complex in Chinatown
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