Remembering Syonan: Singapore’s war through personal belongings
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Benjamin Seet and Dominic Tan co-authored “Remembering Syonan: 80 Objects From Occupied Singapore”, revealing daily life during the Japanese Occupation through personal items.
The authors focused on the experiences of ordinary people in Singapore, contrasting with historical accounts that typically centre on leaders and battles. Artefacts like identity booklets and ration cards show how residents navigated fear and hardship under Japanese rule from 1942.
The book details the Sook Ching massacre, where Chinese men aged 18 to 50 faced screening to determine their allegiance, with many being executed. A widow’s report to the Appeal Committee for Singapore Chinese Massacred by Japanese, along with her husband’s registration certificate, illustrates the personal impact of the violence. The authors highlight how these objects offer a unique window into the past, capturing the uncertainty and anxieties of the time.
Beyond the immediate war years, the book also covers Singapore’s post-war efforts to secure reparations from Japan. A rare invitation to a 1963 rally demanding compensation demonstrates public pressure for accountability. Ultimately, Japan agreed to pay $50 million in 1966, a settlement that then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew framed as a step towards reconciliation rather than retribution. The book launches on September 12, the 81st anniversary of Japan’s surrender, and features objects donated to the National Library Board.
