Japanese Invasion Of Indonesia example essay topic

The Legacy Between Orange Boven and The Holy Red and White Up to 1942, Indonesia had been stably ruled by a three-and-a-half century-old Dutch regime which continued to dampen down Indonesia's desire for an independent, sovereign state. The Japanese invasion, three-and-a-half years brief as it was, contributed significantly to the development modern Indonesian state. This period is a stage where Indonesia becomes the spotlight on mass communication, as parties of various political interests strive to realise their aspirations for Indonesia. To one's amazement, the Japanese invasion of Indonesia is a relatively recent event in the history of the modern world, yet leaving scars as well as miracles that continue to impact the present day. The attraction in this prominent chapter lies in the conflict of Japanese and Indonesian interests, and the scope of the lives affected by it.

1942-1945 was a period where the Japanese aspiration to become the so-called "light, leader, and protector" of Asia, and the Indonesian vision for sovereignty were simultaneously intensifying. Thus was birth of the "Triple A" Japanese propaganda, whose goal is to obliterate Western influences among Indonesians and to activate Indonesians in the interests of Japanese triumph (Ricklefs, 249). Concurrently, Indonesian nationalism began to explode as prominent, educated Indonesians endeavour to mobilize inhabitants of the archipelago to rise up against foreign rule and prepare to declare Indonesia's independence. The Older Brother? Cunningly assuming the identity of Indonesia's older brother, the Japanese started promoting the "Triple A" slogan: "Japan, the light of Asia. Japan, the leader of Asia.

Japan, the protector of Asia". This mass communication attempt was designed to reform the Indonesian economy in order to "support Japan's war effort and its plans for long-term economic domination of East and Southeast Asia". (Ricklefs, 249). The usage of Japanese was promoted; and movies, drama, traditional art and prominent Indonesian figures involved in such work were employed to reverberate Japanese message. The usage of Dutch and English were banned In the interest of eradicating Western influences and Indonesian former schoolteachers were instated in the Military Governor to replace interned Dutch Officials. These actions caused a steep decline in Indonesia's educational standards.

In addition, economic turmoil, the cruelty of the Japanese, the forced labour and rice requisition, beatings, rapes, and the obligation to salute every Japanese caused the Indonesians to defy the Japanese propaganda. The Japanese movement did, however, reinforce Indonesia's antipathy toward the Dutch and cause "the idea of Indonesia" to grow and unfold throughout the nation. As four prominent Indonesians-Sukarno, Hatta, Ki Had ja Dew antara, and Kya i Haji Mas Mansur-were appointed to head Puter a (the successor of Japan's Triple A movement), an aggressive campaign for a God-believing, nationalist, humanitarian, socially just, and democratic Indonesia sprawled. Major Indonesian nationalists and administrators became more occupied with promoting their own interests than helping the Japanese promote theirs; in fact, hardly any Indonesians took the Japanese message seriously. Additionally, the fact that Japan was losing World War II against the Allies contributed to the failure of the heavy-handed Japanese propaganda, and made way for another movement to prevail: the movement towards a sovereign Indonesia.

The Rise of Nationalist Indonesia The impression that mass communication seemed to be in favour of nationalist Indonesia was certainly no chance of luck. It was more than just hard work and extensive mass communication-it had much to do with holding on to a dream triggered by intense sentiments, an urgent goal bearing a date, and a consistent plan and course of action. But most of all, it had everything to do with momentum and timing. In order to win the people's sympathy, the Japanese government had tried to make empty promises concerning Indonesia's independence.

This attempt included the April 1945 formation of BPUPKI, a Japan-organised committee responsible for preparing Indonesia's independence. Sukarno, an Indonesian statesman who will later become Indonesia's first president, headed this committee. One of the major masterpieces created by BPUPKI was the formulation of the Pancasila, the foundation of the Indonesian government based on belief in God, nationalism, humanitarianism, social justice, and democracy. 6 August 1945 was the date the Allies dropped the first atomic bomb in Hiroshima. This incident acted as a major distraction to the Japanese occupation in Indonesia. The next day, Jakarta witnessed the birth of PPK I, the Preparatory Committee for Indonesia's Independence.

The first two weeks of August 1945 was coloured with Sukarno's flight to Saigon with some colleagues to lobby Indonesia's independence with major figures. Work Cited: Ricklefs, M.C., 1981 (3rd ed 2001). A History of Modern Indonesia. Hampshire, UK.

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