THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION OF THE

PHILIPPINES

A Pictorial History
About the Author:
Ricardo Trota
Jose, PhD
• He is a full professor at the Department of History,
College of Social Sciences and Philosophy,
University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman.
• He obtained his Ph.D. from the Tokyo University of
Foreign Studies.
• He is considered an expert in military and
diplomatic history, especially that of Philippine-
Japan relations and World War II in the Philippines.
Chapter 1: Before the War

An areal view of Luneta park

(1941)
 Chapter 1: Before the War
• The United States Stock Market Crash of 1929
• Japan faced a rapidly increasing population and a dependence in
raw materials
• Because of the “Mukden Incident” the Kwantung Army had a
justification for war and invaded the resources rich region of
Manchuria
• Japan left the League of Nations due to it’s aggressive
expansionism
• Hitler’s rise to power, establishment of the Third Reich and the
Invasion of Poland thus starting World War 2
 Chapter 1: Before the War

• Commonwealth Period
• Japanese immigrants had big influences in the market
• “Davaokuo”
• The Filipinos was confident that war would not come to the
Islands since it is under U.S. protection
• Rerouting of the Shipping lines which had affected Philippine
Economy
 Chapter 1: Before the War

• Japan, Italy and Germany formed the Axis Powers

• Japan invaded French Indochina
• The United States imposed a trade embargo at Japan
• A big blow to the Japanese War Economy, final option is a
simultaneous invasion of South East Asia
• Defense preparations still continues, but with little seriousness to
the new recruits
• Attack on Pearl Harbor
Chapter 2: The Zero Hour Has Arrived

Arrival of the Japanese

Forces (1941)
 Chapter 2: The Zero Hour has Arrived

• The Invasion caught the Filipinos by surprise

• “The Zero Hour is here”
• Japanese civilians were put into internment camps
• A state of total emergency
• Many Filipino Men volunteered for the defense of the Philippines
 Chapter 2: The Zero Hour has Arrived

• Simultaneous attacks in the Islands

• War Plan Orange: Make Bataan a Fortress
• Declare Manila an Open City, but the Japanese still continued to
bomb it
• “How Typically American to writhe in anguish at the fate of a
distant cousin while a daughter is being raped in the back room!”
• Immediate Independence for Neutrality
• The American Forces will fight to the end
 Chapter 2: The Zero Hour has Arrived

• The first line of defense in Bataan was quickly pushed back

• Quezon and McArthur were evacuated from Corregidor
• Fresh recruits were needed for a Final Offensive
• All organized resistance was destroyed on May 6, 1942
Chapter 3: American Sovereignty Has
Completely Disappeared

A Japanese officer inside a streetcar, posts rules

and regulations for Filipino to follow, as the
conductor and passenger look on.
 Chapter 3: American Sovereignty Has Completely
Disappeared

• The Philippine Executive Commission under the

Japanese military administration
• KALIBAPI (Kapisanan ng Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas)
• PCPI (Preparatory Commission for Philippine
Independence)
• Second Republic of the Philippines
 Chapter 4:
PILAPINAS: Surviving the Occupation

Queued Filipinos shown being

fed by Japanese soldiers

The Japanese had transformed the

Philippines or Pilipinas to PILAPINAS, a
nation of queues.
 Chapter 4: PILAPINAS: Surviving the
Occupation

• Controlled Economy
• Rations
• Growing poverty
• Mickey Mouse Money
• Inflation
• Bartering of goods
Chapter 5: Tindig aking Inang Bayan: Culture
During the Occupation
Japanization of the
Philippines

The Japanese turns the

Filipinos away from American
and Western “materialistic
ways”, and have them follow
Japan as the leader of Asia.
 Chapter 5: Tindig aking Inang Bayan: Culture
During the Occupation
• The educational system was re-examined.
• Tagalog and Japanese as official languages.
• The Government Employees Training Institute, The New
Philippines Cultural Institute
• Radio Taiso
• Awit sa Paglikha ng Bagong Pilipinas
• All publications were censored and radio broadcasts were
placed under direct military control.
 Chapter 5: Tindig aking Inang Bayan: Culture
During the Occupation

• Re-naming of streets.
• Mixing propagandas with religious sermons.
• Encouraged people to spy on their neighbors.
• Produced movies using local directors and actors.
Chapter 6: The Resistance

A Poster Titled: The Fighting

Filipinos

Filipino and American guerillas harassed the

Japanese throughout the occupation years,
oftentimes provoking severe Japanese
retaliation. But the guerilla successes kept the
flame of freedom burning.
 Chapter 6: The Resistance

• USAFFE, Hunters-ROTC group, HUKBALAHAP, Free

Philippines group, etc.
• The Japanese launched punitive operations.
• All Kempeitai stations as living hells.
• January 1943, submarines deliver officers, agents and
supplies to Philippine guerillas.
• Most guerilla groups became the eyes and ears of
MacArthur.
• The tide of war turned against the Japanese.
Chapter 7: I Have Returned

The Landing at Leyte Gulf (1945)

 Chapter 7: I Have Returned

• Americans Coming
• The start of attack
• Strategies
• Battle of Leyte Gulf
• Failure led to crimes
• Towns’ liberation
• Filipinos being bombed
• Japanese Surrender