Japan in South East Asia

1. Japan in South East Asia Indonesia’s Revolution

2. Japan in Indonesia • Japan occupied Indonesia in WWII from March 1942 until after the end of War in 1945. • The period was one of the most critical in Indonesian history. • The occupation was the first serious challenge to the Dutch in Indonesia • It ended the Dutch colonial rule • Brought about Indonesian revolution

3. Japan in Indonesia • Under German occupation itself, the Netherlands could not defend its colony against Japan • Less than three months after the first attacks on Kalimantan Japan ended 300 years of Dutch colonial presence in Indonesia • During WWII the Allies largely by-passed Indonesia, namely Java and Sumatra • Most of Indonesia was still under Japanese occupation at the time of the war

4. Japan in Indonesia • The lasting and profound effects of the occupation resulted in • Optimism joyful and welcomed the Japanese as liberators • Such sentiment quickly changed as the occupation was the most oppressive and ruinous in Indonesian history • A consequence was to awaken politics • This political wakening was also partly due to Japanese design

5. Japan in Indonesia • In Java and to a lesser extent Sumatra, the Japanese indoctrinated, trained and armed many young Indonesians • Many nationalist leaders had a political voice • Thus the destruction of the Dutch colonial regime facilitated Indonesian nationalism • Japanese occupation created the conditions for a claim of Indonesian independence • Following WWII nationalists would fight a bitter five-year diplomatic, military and social struggle

6. Japan in Indonesia • During Indonesian National Revival (late 1920s), Indonesian nationalists leaders Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta foresaw a Pacific War • Such leaders saw Japan as an ally to advance Indonesian independence cause • The Japanese spread the word that they were the 'Light of Asia‘ • Japan was the only Asian nation that had successfully transformed itself into a modern technological society

7. Japan in Indonesia • Japan had remained independent when most Asian countries had been under European or American power • Japan had beaten a European power, Russia, in war • Japan also advocated to other Asians a 'Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere' • A type of trade zone under Japanese leadership • Japan had gradually spread their influence through Asia during the 1920s and 1930s and established business links in the Indies

8. Japan in Indonesia • Japan had sent agents to establish links with Indonesian nationalists, particularly with Muslim parties • Indonesian nationalists were sponsored to visit Japan • Such encouragement of Indonesian nationalism was part of a broader Japanese plan for an 'Asia for the Asians'