6 control Flashcards
Use of force and terror through harsh punishments
The Japanese used harsh punishments on criminals and perceived threats, such as executing looters and displaying their heads publicly. Kempeitai (military police) arrested and tortured suspects, using methods like water treatment and nail-pulling. Informants were incentivized with food/cash rewards to report anti-Japanese activities. Explanation: Fear of harsh consequences and distrust among the locals forced them to comply with the Japanese to avoid arrest or execution. There were also many instances of random acts of violence against innocent civilians
Use of force and terror by imprisoning Allied soldiers
The Japanese imprisoned Allied POWs, including women and children, and made them march publicly from Bukit Timah Road to Changi Prison. Explanation: The public humiliation of POWs broke the locals’ view of British superiority and instilled fear, making the people more likely to comply with Japanese rule. During their imprisonment, the POWs lived in extremely cramped and unhygienic living conditions. They were also forced to take on hard labor for the Japanese, such as repairing facilities which were damaged by bombs
Operation Sook Ching (Cleansing)
The Kempeitai targeted anti-Japanese Chinese through mass screenings. Suspected individuals were marked and executed, with between 25,000 - 50,000 people killed. Explanation: Fear of being targeted in Operation Sook Ching made locals submit to the Japanese to avoid the same fate, increasing Japanese control.
Why was Sook Ching carried out?
Sook Ching: Cleansing
Carried out almost immediately after the Japanese arrival in Singapore
To eliminate anti-Japanese elements among the local population, mostly from the Chinese community
The Chinese were viewed by the Japanese as a potential source of opposition because of their past support for the resistance movement in China
Organized trade boycotts of Japanese goods
Contributed to the China Relief fund
Sent war supplies to China
Volunteered to fight in China’s war against Japan
How was Sook Ching carried out?
Chinese men aged between 18 to 50 were required to be examined at mass screening centres
Masked informants identified people suspected of being anti-Japanese - However, identification was often random and without much basis
Those who did not pass the inspection were taken away to be executed at beaches in Punggol and Changi
The atrocities continued for about 2 weeks and it was estimated that between 25,000 to 50,000 people were massacred!
Coercion of the Chinese business community
The Chinese business community was coerced into giving 50 million Straits dollars to the Japanese, as punishment for supporting China’s war efforts. Overseas Chinese Association (OCA) was formed under Dr Lim Boon Keng as a communication channel. Explanation: The severe penalties against the Chinese business community forced them to comply with Japanese demands, reducing resistance. Creation of the Overseas Chinese Association (OCA)
The Japanese created the OCA as a channel of communication between the Chinese community and the Japanese government
However, it was eventually used by the Japanese authorities to extort 50 million Straits dollars from the Chinese community
Intended as a punishment for the Chinese community’s generous support for war efforts against Japan in China and Malaya
The Singapore Chinese community had to raise 10 million Straits Dollars!
Difficulties faced in raising the sum
But they were given an extremely short deadline: 10 million Straits Dollars by 20 April 1942!
Insufficient currency in circulation in Malaya: At the time, only $220 million was in circulation (including reserves in banks), making it very difficult to raise the funds from the market.
To raise the $10 million, the OCA decided that all individuals should contribute 8% of the value of their properties exceeding $3,000 and that companies should contribute 5% of their assets. As a result, many were forced to sell their assets in order to raise the sum.
Winning loyalty through propaganda
The Japanese used propaganda via mass media to portray themselves as liberators and champions of a unified Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. They also promised to free India from British rule, recruiting Indians into the Indian National Army. Explanation: Propaganda helped win support by portraying the Japanese as benevolent liberators, softening their harsh image and gaining cooperation from locals. The Japanese portrayed themselves as liberators of Asian people, promoting their vision of a Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere (GEACPS)
GEACPS: A vision in which Japan would free Asian nations from the control of Western colonial powers. The vision also pressed for a united Asia that would benefit from sharing resources collectively.
These messages were spread through various channels, including posters and radio broadcasts
Propaganda
Information or ideas spread by a group or government to influence people’s opinions
Usually done by not providing all the facts or by only emphasizing one point of view
Winning loyalty through providing benefits
The Japanese provided benefits like free education and distributed rice, sugar, and salt to the Malay community. Explanation: Preferential treatment of the Malay community and material benefits allowed the Japanese to win support and reduce resistance, especially from groups like Kesatuan Melayu Muda (KMM). The Indian Community
Knowing that some Indian immigrants in Singapore were influenced by anti-British sentiments and wanted to support the fight against the British in India, the Japanese supported the formation of the Indian National Army (INA)
The INA was led by prominent politician Subhas Chandra Bose and managed to attract many patriotic recruits
The Malay Community
The Japanese distributed rice, sugar, and salt to the less fortunate in the Malay community for Hari Raya Puasa
Malays and Indians were also charged lower fees than the Chinese to cross the Causeway
Inculcating Japanese culture, language & spirit
The Japanese made the Nippon-go language compulsory in schools and incentivized adults to learn it. Explanation: By promoting Japanese culture and language, the Japanese aimed to draw locals closer to them and increase cultural loyalty, making it easier to control the population.
How did the Japanese try to impose their culture on the people of Singapore?
Adoption of the Japanese calendar and time
Teaching and promotion of the Japanese language
Introduction of mass exercises
Forced expressions of loyalty towards Japan
Students were made to sing “Kimigayo” and bow towards the East and before images of the Japanese Emperor
How might these help them win the people’s loyalty?
Schools emphasized the Nippon seishin (Japanese spirit) through rituals like singing the Japanese anthem and bowing to the Emperor’s portrait. Public mass exercises were broadcast. Explanation: Promoting the Japanese spirit instilled loyalty and identity centred on Japan, fostering cooperation with the Japanese regime and suppressing resistance.
