Consequences

Although the British had been welcomed back into Singapore, the fact remained that the British had failed to defend them, and in the eyes of many Singaporeans this had cost them their credibility as infallible rulers. The decades after the war saw a political awakening amongst the local populace and the rise of nationalist and anti-colonial sentiments. Hence, the Japanese Occupation caused the path to eventual independence to be greatly accelerated, as public confidence in the ability of their British leaders in protecting them and their lifestyles crumbled.

The Japanese occupation also prompted the Singapore government to establish a sizeable military force using conscription service should the country's safety be ever threatened again.

Done by Ian Lim