My dear readers,

1. Of Kingdoms and Empires

The lust for possession and power has existed in the human heart from the time of the Fall, a lust implanted there by the god of this world. We read of great "world empires" ruled by Egypt, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. The end time British Empire outshines them all. But empires of men have their limitation. They rise and fall at the behest of a power greater than men's, for the Word of God tells us: it is God the Judge who "putteth down one and setteth up another" (Ps 75:7 ).

In 1941, the great Judge raised up Imperial Japan to deal a crushing blow to British pride in Malaya and Singapore. In ten brief weeks, the proud British colonies were taken away, replaced by a "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere" under a new master from the "Land of the Rising Sun." A new global power had arisen!

2. The "Co-Prosperity Sphere"
Imperialism in new guise

The Japanese were justly proud of their stunning military success. In ten whirlwind weeks they had humiliated the mighty Allied Forces. The greatest World Empire in history had meekly bowed to the unknown power from the Land of the Rising Sun.

With the vanquished confined in Changi Prison, the victorious Japanese Army marched down Battery Road through Singapore's city centre, announcing a new master in charge.

The Chinese population watched from behind windows and shuttered doors, as the conquerors marched on. Japan's atrocities in Manchuria (1931) and China (1937) had preceded them. Singapore was apprehensive. Would the Japanese do less to Singapore's Chinese population? They had sent help to China.

The Japanese had a score to settle.

It was no surprise then when the Japanese Kempeitai (Secret Police) launched "Operation Clean-up," taking away Chinese and other men aged 18 - 50 years from "Registration Centres" throughout the island. An estimated 25,000 to 50,000 innocent Chinese men were mercilessly executed on the beaches of Changi, Punggol and Belakang Mati.

Shock waves of fear and grief swept over the population, barely recovered from the trauma of war. What lay ahead, who could tell? Singapore was a small island and the people were holed in, like caged rats, nowhere to run or hide.

We had heard of the Japanese Military Police, the dreaded Kempeitai. Now those men were at our very doorsteps, operating through informers and spies. Their headquarters were located at the YMCA on Stamford Road which soon became the symbol of terror, torture and death.

The Japanese military were everywhere, guarding vital installations and checkpoints. Communication was minimal as few understood Japanese. But we quickly learnt to bow and say, "Ohayo gozaimasu" in the morning.

Life under the Japanese

The Japanese came prepared to run the country with civilian administrators ready to take charge. A former diplomat with the Japanese Foreign Ministry, a Mr Shinozaki, who spoke fluent English became the civilian administrator. He turned out to be an unusually kind and humane individual. By his intervention, he saved many lives from the Kempeitai's torture chambers. This was a bright spot in a black picture.

Singapore was the grand prize of the Pacific War. The new masters marked their conquest by renaming the island "Syonan" meaning "Light of the South."

Our family suffered little during the Japanese Occupation. We had our normal food, three meals daily, without luxuries. We planted tapioca to supplement our rice. Essential items were rationed, such as rice, flour, sugar, petroleum.

To keep the mind active, I attended Japanese language school and went through four grades, from the lowest ("beginners") to the highest ("special"). It was a challenge which I found invigorating and interesting. For one thing, it helped me understand the Japanese language and culture and Japanese songs.

The authorities tried hard to change our aspirations, no more to "look west" but to "look east." Japan and things Japanese were to be the new focus. We kept Tokyo time, which was one hour ahead of Singapore time. This was not a bad thing as it saved on daylight.

Our money suffered a drastic change. The old British "Tiger currency" was substituted with Japanese "Banana notes." These were issued as the need arose without assets backing, leading to runaway inflation. Toward the end of the Occupation, the "Banana notes" were not worth the paper on which they were printed.

In 1943, when I attained eighteen years of age, it was reported that the Japanese were recruiting 18-year olds into the "Army Auxillary." To be safe, I joined the Supreme Court staff as a junior clerk to escape the conscription. (To be continued)

Lovingly in the Lord
Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor