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The
Japanese Occupatio
After
their attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, the Japanese
forces moved southwards to conquer several Southeast
Asian countries. After Singapore had fallen, they
invaded the Dutch East Indies and the colonial army
surrendered in March 1942. Soekarno and Hatta were
released from their detention. The Japanese began
their propaganda campaign for what they called "Great
East Asia Coprosperity". But Indonesians soon
realized that it was a camouflage for Japanese imperialism
in place of Dutch colonialism.
To further the cause of Indonesia's independence,
Soekarno and Hatta appeared to cooperate with the
Japanese authorities. In reality, however, Indonesian
nationalist leaders went underground and masterminded
insurrections in Blitar (East Java), Tasikmalaya and
Indramayu (West Java), and in Sumatra and Kalimantan.
Under the pressure of the 4th Pacific war, where their
supply lines were interrupted, and the increasing
of Indonesian insurrections, the Japanese ultimately
gave into allow the red-and-white flag to fly as the
Indonesian national flag. Recognition of "Indonesia
Raya" as the national anthem and Bahasa Indonesia
as the national language followed. Hence, the youth's
pledge of 1928 was fulfilled. After persistent demands,
the Japanese finally agreed to place the civil administration
of the county into Indonesian hands. This was a golden
opportunity for nationalist leaders to prepare for
the proclamation of lndonesia's independence.
