Malayan independence meeting
17 August. At a gathering of Japanese and Malay representatives, young activists commit themselves to a declaration of independence while older representatives urge caution. As for the Japanese, they announce they will have no further involvement in the independence movement.
Japanese in Singapore learn of surrender
18 August. Military and civilian administrators in Syonan (the Japanese name for occupied Singapore) are summoned to the headquarters of the Japanese 7th Area Army, where General Itagaki Seishirō informs them that Japan has surrendered. The news is then relayed to Japanese civilian organizations.
Japanese surrender organized
19 August. A Japanese delegation arrives in Manila for a meeting with General Douglas MacArthur and U.S. officials to finalize surrender details. While travelling to and from the airport, the Japanese have to be protected from angry Filipinos threatening to attack them. At the same time, the Philippine Army begins demobilizing. Its units are no longer needed to invade Japan.
Indian independence leader killed in plane crash
18 August. Subhas Chandra Bose, leader of the Indian National Army, dies in a Taiwanese plane crash en route from Malaya to the Japanese home islands. The news staggers the Malayan Indian community from which he has just departed. Wreaths quickly adorn the INA war memorial in Singapore whose foundation stone Bose had laid only weeks earlier. One of the first actions of the British on their return to Singapore is, on 6 September, to demolish the memorial.
Japanese in Singapore begin constructing internment camp
20 August. Representatives from the military and the newly formed civilian ‘Japanese Association’ select a site for an internment camp where Japanese civilians in Syonan can await repatriation. Japanese propaganda papers announce publically that Japan has surrendered, printing the imperial rescript on surrender in its entirety.
Indonesian constitution adopted
18 August. With its original Japanese-appointed members augmented by some senior officials chosen by Sukarno, the Preparatory Committee for the Independence of Indonesia (PPKI) endorses the constitution drafted in June by its Java-based predecessor. However, the special position for Islam is dropped and virtually absolute powers are granted to the President for a transitional period until legislative bodies can be elected. Sukarno and Hatta are chosen as President and Vice President. The borders of the new republic are to match those oftheold Netherlands East Indies (thus excluding British Borneo and Malaya). Next day, the PPKI meets again and approves a new cabinet as well as determining division of the country into provinces.
Japanese surrender publically announced in Malaya
20 August. Japanese propaganda papers, including Syonan Shimbun, announce publically that Japan has surrendered, printing the imperial rescript on surrender in its entirety. Representatives from the military and the newly formed civilian ‘Japanese Association’ select a site where Japanese civilians in Syonan can be interned while awaiting repatriation.