When Singapore was defeated, the island was renamed Syonan-to, which means the "Light of the South". It was a very nice name, and I wish they hadn't changed it, considering right now, that Singapore is indeed the light of the south. Then again I like lions, but the name "Singapore" really doesn't sound as pleasant as "Syonan-to" does.

1st things first

The first thing that the Japanese did was to imprison all the Europeans found in Singapore. They were called  Prisoners of Wars. Some of these POWs were sent to Thailand in the construction o the Death Railway. The POWs were forced to work hard and long hours with little food. They were given simple tools to fell huge trees and cut rocks. For those of you who think it is easy, go and live in the wilder side of the Amazon Rain forest and try to build yourself a two-storey flat with only a machete. (Oh, bring only a bun along.) Those who remained in Singapore were not let off so easily. They were made to do all the dirty jobs, like cleaning up the city (includes the burial of corpses). They also had not enough food to eat and were skin and bones. They had to plant their own crops if they wanted to live longer.

Due to the poor conditions, many POWs fell ill and died.

Honour and shame, high and low

The Japanese soldiers wanted everyone to show them respect. Whenever anyone passed by a Japanese soldier, they had to bow to the soldier. Those who did not do so were punished.

Sufferings

Eurasians
The Eurasians suffered a lot because they looked like Europeans. The Eurasians  who were suspected of helping the British were shot.

Indians
Indians were made to join the Indian National Army (INA) to fight against the British in India. However, many Indian soldiers, especially the Sikhs, refused to join. Some of these were killed. Many indians were sent to build the Death railway.

Malays
Some malays were arrested and sent for the Death Railway. They were also punished severely when they did something wrong. Sometimes, they were killed.

Chinese
The Japanese wanted to punish the Chinese in Singapore for helping China when China was fighting Japan. All men of 18 to 50 years of age were to report at certain centres for determining who were anti-japanese. The word "Examined" was stamped on either them or a paper after they were allowed to go home. The thousands who were identified as anti-Japanese were taken in lorries to beaches along the East coasts. They were tied together in a long chain and were shot.

Malaysian Chinese and Singaporean Chinese were forced to form the Overseas Chinese Association and were made to contribute $50 million towards Japan's war efforts. That was a HUGE amount of money in those days, by the way, so the Chinese leaders found it hard to raise the money.

Law and order

Before the British surrendered, there were many looters. To prevent further looting, the Japanese shot those who were caught, beheaded them and had their heads displayed in public  places. Sane people were not to loot anymore.

The Kempeitai, a Japanese military police force, had sties all over the island and encouraged people to give them information. Anti-Japanese suspects would be arrested and taken to a Kempeitai building, and would be tortured until they revealed information that the Japanese wanted.

Propaganda

Schools taught Japanese language, and in the cinemas, only films that showed the virtues of the Japanese and made fun of the British were shown. Sometimes, Japanese would be in the cinemas listening to conversations. Like they said, the walls had ears. Most of the news were in Japanese version, and radio stations were controlled by the Japanese.

Food

Food was scarce during that period. ration cards were given out, and there was a black market for food. People were encouraged to grow more food.

Currency

"Banana notes" were issued by the Japanese. The money was printed on poor quality paper, had no serial number and whenever the authorities needed money, all they had to do was make more notes, resulting in the depreciating of value in the currency.

My comments: Ironic, I am listening to X Japan and am doing this piece of stupid homework. ^^;;