Japanese occupation of the Solomon Islands facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Japanese-occupied Solomon Islands ソロモン諸島 Soromon-shotō
1941–1945
Flag of the Empire of Japan Imperial Seal
Status	Military occupation by the Empire of Japan
Common languages	Japanese Pijin
Government	Military occupation
Historical era	World War II
• Occupation of Solomon	9 December 1941
• Battle of Guadalcanal begins	7 August 1942
• Occupation ends	8 September 1945
Preceded by Succeeded by British Solomon Islands Territory of New Guinea British Solomon Islands Territory of New Guinea
Today part of	Solomon Islands and Bougainville

The Japanese occupation of the Solomon Islands happened during World War II. From 1942 to 1945, the Japanese Empire took control of parts of the Solomon Islands. This area was important because it was where the British Solomon Islands protectorate had its main offices.

The Solomon Islands campaign was a big part of the Pacific War. It started when Japanese forces landed on several islands. They took over parts of the British Solomon Islands and Bougainville Island in early 1942. The Japanese built naval and air bases on these islands. Their goals were to protect their attacks in New Guinea and create a safe area around their main base at Rabaul. They also wanted to stop enemy supply lines.

Japanese Control in the Northern Islands

Some of these islands were part of the Australian Territory of New Guinea. This area had been given to Australia to manage by the League of Nations in 1920. Japan's main military base in the South Pacific was at Rabaul, New Britain. Japanese forces had captured Rabaul from the Australians in January 1942.

In March and April 1942, Japanese soldiers took over Buka Island in northern Bougainville. They also occupied Buin in southern Bougainville. They quickly started building airfields and naval bases in these locations.

Japanese Military Leaders

The Seventeenth Army was in charge of the Japanese forces from Bougainville. Here are the main commanders:

• Harukichi Hyakutake (1888 - 1947): He led the army from 1942 to 1945.
• Masatane Kanda (1890 - 1983): He took over in 1945. He surrendered the Japanese forces on Bougainville Island to the Allied commanders on September 8, 1945.

The Japanese occupation of the Solomon Islands officially ended in September 1945.

See also

• Pacific Islands home front during World War II
• Solomon Islands campaign
• Japanese government-issued Oceanian Pound

Images for kids

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  A war map showing the Solomon Islands during the Pacific War.

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  A 10 shillings banknote issued by the Japanese during their occupation in 1942.

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  Masatane Kanda (left, sitting) surrenders Japanese forces on Bougainville to Allied commanders on September 8, 1945.