Treatment by the Japanese

After the surrender of the British on 15th February 1942, the Japanese have then conquered Singapore, and Singapore was then renamed to Syonanto (昭南島 Shōnantō), which means "Southern Island gained in the age of Shōwa". The name is frequently mistranslated as "Light of the South", even in Singaporean textbooks.

Singapore was officially returned to British colonial rule on 12 September 1945, following the formal signing of the surrender instrument at the Municipal Building.
~No, PLEASE NOOOO!!!!.....
The Kempeitai (Japanese military secret police) committed numerous atrocities against the common people, including starting the Sook Ching Massacre. The Japanese also committed numerous war crimes, all being listed here:

1. Mass killings
2. Human experimentation and biological warfare
3. Use of chemical weapons
4. Torture of prisoners of war
5. Cannibalism
6. Forced labour
7. Comfort women
8. Looting

During the operation, there was a currency called "Banana Money", which has been issued in other countries where the Japanese have conquered, like Malaya. This currency had the same value as the Malayan Dollar, food then became really scarce, and Singaporeans can only rely on staple foods, such as sweet potatoes and yam. The Kempeitai established a network of informers around the island to help them identify those who were anti-Japanese. These informers were well-paid by the Kempeitai and had no fear of being arrested. Japanese soldiers patrolled the streets and commoners had to bow to them when they passed by. Those who failed to do so would be beaten and some people would be taken away.

The lessons learnt are to be strong, even in times of crisis, and to put on the shoes of the less fortunate, so to experience the lives of the others.

Website URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_occupation_of_Singapore
Date accessed: 12th February 2013