What is the Japanese Occupation?

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. It marked the beggining of a brief but tumultous chapter of Singapore's history. Singapore was renamed by the Japanese 'Syonan-to' which meant 'Light of South' or 'the Radiant South'.

The Japanese military police,Kempeitai,were sent to restore order and peace in Singapore after the British surrenderred. The Japanese interned the British,Australians and Allied Europeans in Singapore,including women and children.

The Japanese used fear to rule Singapore.The Cruelty of the Kempeitai kept people in a constant state of fear and anxiety.