Happy Total Defence Day everyone! As we celebrate Total Defence Day, perhaps it would be a timely reminder of how vulnerable we once were. Even if many of us love Japan now.
Video: The Fall of Singapore
I found a Japanese propaganda video and made subtitle translations. Interestingly, the video was produced after Japan's defeat, but still holds a very pro-Japanese Empire message.
At around 00:40, the video talks about Empire Day (kigensetsu; 紀元節). Proclaimed by the Meiji government in 1872, Empire Day was likely created to unify the country under the Imperial family’s rule. After Japan's defeat in 1945, the national holiday was re-named National Foundation Day (kenkoku kinen no hi; 建国記念の日).
Newspapers from 1942
During the Japanese Occupation, the Japanese published a propaganda newspaper. The first issue of The Shonan Times, dated 20 February 1942, was printed in English at 140 Cecil Street, the former premises of The Straits Times. Some of the more interesting articles I found:
As we celebrate Total Defence Day, eat sweet potatoes, and engage in other novel amusements, we should not forget that our sovereignty should never be left so vulnerable again.
In fact, Total Defence Day is so important that I think it should be made a public holiday. (Pls)
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