Huiyun, Li Jiageng & Li Jia's Essay (Sec 211)

Assignment: Could the Japanese be forgiven for their wartime occupation?

   During the Japanese Occupation, the Japanese had treated the Chinese people especially harshly.   The Chinese were the main target group because the Chinese in China had put up a fierce resistance in war against the Japanese.   The Chinese in Singapore had sent money for war-cause in China and had put up a fierce resistance in the Battle of Bukit Timah in Singapore.   

   The Japanese had an operation Sook Ching, their main target group was mainly the Chinese, and they aimed to wipe out all Chinese men between 18-50 years old who were suspected of being anti-Japanese.   They were to report at the mass screening centres.   Over there, they were questioned and those who found innocent would be stamped "examined".   Those found guilty were rounded up and were forced to pledge their loyalty to the Japanese.

   There was a shortage of food and medicine in the prison, many people died of starvation and illnesses.   There was food shortage because Allied ships could not bring food  into Singapore as Japanese warships bombed their ships.   The shortage of food made food rationing necessary.   The Black Market, a place where people sells items at unreasonably high prices thrived during that time, most people could not afford these items.   The Japanese printed money when they needed it until there was so much money they become worthless, these money were called banana notes.

   The Japanese also took prisoners-of war (POWs) like the British, Allied and Allied Europeans.   The POWs had to do hard labour like cleaning up the city, bury bodies, restore water & electricity supplies, repair docks and wok on the Death Railway in Thailand.   They worked so hard to complete what was estimated to be a 5-year project, within 16 months.   More than 50, 000 died.

   Movement was restricted, they were barbed wires around and roadblocks were conducted.   Vehicles must have special vehicle passes and people must have their identification documents at all times.  Surprise checks at homes were conducted to made sure all members were at home.   People do not feel safe; was kempetai had informers all over the island.   Rewards an privileges were given for information.   Those under suspicion were sent to Kempetai Centres to be question and brutally tortured.   Many were punished for crimes, they did not commit.

   The Japanese stepped up on propaganda.   Propaganda was used to influence people.   The Japanese promoted Japanese values and culture.  They taught the Japanese languages in school.   Only Japanese channels were broadcasted.   As part of their propaganda, the Japanese promoted the idea of Asia for culture.   Here the Japanese claimed they were liberating Asia.  

   due to the reasons above, it would be difficult for the people, especially the Chinese, POWs, to forgive the Japanese.   The hardships and sufferings of war of war would not be easily forgotten.   The price we paid were double the price the Japanese had paid when they were punished.   Although they have suffered from the atomic bombs, they still cannot be forgiven.   This was because we suffered war conditions and were harshly treated, abused by them, lost our freedom and so many people died on the island.   We suffered of starvation and diseases as there was a lack of medicine.   We lived in fear and terror for 3 years, not just for a few months.   Yes, they suffered from the atomic bombed but still could not be forgiven for their role in WW2.