The Kempeitai were the Japanese military police who took over the control of the local police. Even after the Sook Ching Operation, the Kempeitai continued to seek out subversive elements, making use of informers, spies and generally keeping their ears and eyes wide open for anti-Japanese activities such as listening to the BBC or assisting communist guerillas.

They recruited spies within the community and encouraged the giving of information with rewards and privileges. The activities of the Kempeitai generated the horrible atmosphere of suspicion and fear.

The Kempeitai officers had complete power to do whatever they liked. The YMCA in Orchard Road was the Kempeitais' headquarters. People were locked up in cells measuring 3.0m x 3.5m. Everyday you could hear people wailing in pain because of the torture they suffered. The suspects were interrogated by the Japanese officials. Suspects taken to the Kempeitai office were tortured mercilessly for information.

Water Torture

This was one of the Japanese soldiers' favourite methods for torturing the civilians and suspects. A hose was place inside the mouth of the person. Water was then forced down the throat of the person. The officials would not stop pumping water until the belly bloats. Then the Japanese would use all kinds of methods to force the water out. For example, they would use a stick to hit the belly or just jump on the belly until the water gushed out. The pain was really intolerable. The person not only suffered the pain, as their health would also be badly affected for a lifetime.

Electric Shocks

The person being tortured would be tied up. In order for the suspect to confess, the Japanese officials would electrocute the suspect. This electrocution would only stop when the suspect fainted. The officials would then use water to revive the suspect. If he confessed, all torture would end. If he did not confess, the officials would continue to electrocute him until he confessed. Such tortures badly affected the health and body of the suspects.