Japanese occupation of Malaya

Japanese-occupied Malaya
Malai (マライ, Marai)
1941–1945
Motto: 八紘一宇 (Hakkō Ichiu)
("Eight Crown Cords, One Roof")
Anthem: 君が代 (Kimigayo)
("His Imperial Majesty's Reign")
Japanese possessions of British Malaya in 1942
Japanese possessions of British Malaya in 1942
StatusMilitary occupation by the Empire of Japan
CapitalNone (de jure)
Singapore (de facto, 1942–1944)
Taiping (de facto, 1944–1945)
Common languagesJapanese
English
Malay
Chinese
Tamil
Emperor 
• 1942–1945
Shōwa
Historical eraWorld War II
• Pacific War begins
8 December 1941a
• Japanese troops land on Kota Bharu

8 December 1941
• British troops retreat to Singapore
31 January 1942
15 February 1942
18 October 1943
2 September 1945

12 September 1945
• Formation of Malayan Union

1 April 1946
CurrencyJapanese-issued dollar ("Banana money")
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Federated Malay States
Straits Settlements
Unfederated Malay States
Si Rat Malai
British Military Administration (Malaya)
Today part ofMalaysia
  1. The Pacific War started on 8 December 1941 in Asian time zones, but is often referred to as starting on 7 December, as that was the date in European and American time zones (such as for the attack on Pearl Harbor in the United States' Territory of Hawaii).

Malaya, then under British administration, was gradually occupied by Japanese forces between 8 December 1941 and the Allied surrender at Singapore on 15 February 1942. The Japanese remained in occupation until their surrender to the Allies in 1945. The first Japanese garrison in Malaya to lay down their arms was in Penang on 2 September 1945 aboard HMS Nelson.


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