Daily Life Under Japanese

• Shortages

  -War disrupted trade

  -Most resources channeled to Japanese war efforts

  -Ice, salt &sugar were rationed and could only be bought with coupons

  -Caused drastic inflation -> black market (high prices for basic neccessities)

  -Japanese tried to solve it with banana notes but printed too many -> worthless at the end of JO
• Disease & Death

  -Healthcare and sanitation worsened -> weakened by food shortage

  -130,000 deaths recorded in 3 years -> beriberi, pnuemonia, dysentary (main causes)

  -POWs had harsh living conditions

  -Food & medicine shortages

  -5,000 living in place built for 600 (overcrowding)

  -Poor Hygeine

  -Forced labour

  -> Bury dead / build shrines

  -> Clean damage

  -> “Death Railway” -> 16,000 died working there
• Relocations

  -People were encouraged to strive for self-sufficiency due to shortages (did not work)

  -Japanese began to relocate people to other settlements

  -Endav settlement was suitable for agriculture but Bahav Settlement was not suitable for agriculture
• Leisure and Entertainment

  -Japanese wanted to maintain the appearance of a happy, harmonious society

  -> introduced radio programmes

  -> screened Japanese movies & documentaries

  -> free open-air viewing of propaganda shows

  -Encouraged sports & cultural activites to relieve war-time stress

  -POWs organised & participated in social, religous & sporting activites to keep spirits up

  -Newpaper, theatre performances, church services and mural paintings at Changi Chapel