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Quiz about The Japanese Occupation of Malaya

The Japanese Occupation of Malaya Quiz

This is a quiz meant for school students in Malaysia, but everyone else in the world is free to play :)

A multiple-choice quiz by WW2Master123. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
WW2Master123

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
360,265

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
20

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
13 / 20

Plays
245

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 20

1. In 1868, Mikado Meiji became Emperor of Japan. He introduced a new era for his country. What is that change called? Hint

Kuomintang

The Meiji Restoration

The Kempeitai

The Tojo Restoration

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Question 2 of 20

2. In the late 19th century Japan emerged as a major power. In 1898, they defeated China in the First Sino-Japanese War. In 1905, they defeated Russia in the Russo-Japanese War. In 1910, they conquered and annexed Korea. In 1931 Japan also occupied Manchuria and set up a large puppet state there. They invaded China again in 1937, starting the Second Sino-Japanese War. By 1941, what was their next target? Hint

The whole of South-East Asia

Australia

Singapore

India

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Question 3 of 20

3. After Japan refused to stop the invasion of French Indochina, how did the U.S. respond? Hint

By invading Japan

With trade sanctions

By fighting alongside China

There was no response from the U.S.

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Question 4 of 20

4. What was the real significance of the Japanese slogan 'Asia for the Asians'? Hint

It meant exactly what it said:only Asians should live in Asia

The Western countries should surrender their colonies peacefully

It was an excuse for Japanese domination

All Asia would co-operate under Japanese guidance

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Question 5 of 20

5. When Japan invaded Malaya, they did not attack Thailand. Why? Hint

Thailand was nothing of value

Thailand was a stronger power

Thailand was part of the Axis

Thailand just let them pass through to Malaya

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Question 6 of 20

6. In Malaya, there was a Malay soldier who is well-known for his sacrifice against the Japanese invasion. Name the heroic veteran. Hint

Leftenan Adnan bin Saidi

Tunku Abdul Rahman

A. Samad Said

Tun Mahathir

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Question 7 of 20

7. On the 15th of February, 1942, the British in Singapore surrendered to the Japanese, who were commanded by the "Malayan Tiger". Who was this "Malayan Tiger"? Hint

Yamashita Tomoyuki

Isoroku Yamamoto

Seishiro Itagaki

Hideki Tojo

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Question 8 of 20

8. Which of these was one of the many reasons why the Japanese was able to defeat the British? Hint

The British had very little support from the Malayan people

The British were more focused on war in Europe

The Japanese had killed the commanding officer of the British in Singapore

The Japanese sent a massive fleet to destroy the British defenses

NEXT>

Question 9 of 20

9. Two British ships were sunk in the South China Sea. What were the names of the ships? Hint

The Hood and the Dorsetshire

The Arizona and the Prince of Wales

The Repulse and the Prince of Wales

The Missouri and the Elizabeth

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Question 10 of 20

10. The 'Kesatuan Melayu Muda' was an organization that helped the Japanese throughout the battle of Malaya. What was their role? Hint

They rebelled against British forces with weapons

They guided the Japanese through the country

They provided the Japanese with food

They tricked the British in giving them wrong information

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Question 11 of 20

11. After Japanese occupation began, Malaya was renamed 'Malai Baru'.
What was Singapore's new name? Hint

Nippon-Go

Iwo Jima

Singa Baru

Syonan

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Question 12 of 20

12. Students were forced to sing the Japanese anthem. What was it called? Hint

Banzai

Kimigayo

Futon

Kamikaze

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Question 13 of 20

13. To invade Malaya, the Japanese used this formidable fighter plane to combat the weaker British planes. What was it? Hint

Zero

Stuka

Beagle

Kate

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Question 14 of 20

14. Of the various sections of the population of Malaya, which suffered most under Japanese occupation? Hint

The Malays

The Indians

The Chinese

The British

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Question 15 of 20

15. Several anti-Japanese resistance groups were formed throughout Malaya. What was the significance of the Malayan People's Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA)? Hint

It was the largest resistance group

It was formed by Communists

It had only Chinese members

It was the only guerrilla group

NEXT>

Question 16 of 20

16. Another resistance group was the Wataniah of Pahang, with the Sultan of Pahang as 'Pemerintah Kehormat', but there was another famous person who joined Wataniah. Who was it? Hint

Lord Mountbatten

Tunku Abdul Rahman

Tun Abdul Razak

Chin Peng

NEXT>

Question 17 of 20

17. In September, 1945, the Japanese returned Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah to the British. Why did this 'miracle' happen? Hint

Japan was invaded

The British invaded Malaya

The Japanese got tired of Malaya

The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

NEXT>

Question 18 of 20

18. Many people still dread to think of the many Malayans, other Asians and British, Dutch and other foreign prisoners of war, for being sent to Thailand to work under very harsh conditions. What did the Japanese do to them? Hint

Forced them to fight the British in Burma

Executed them at Nanjing

Forced them to work at the Burma Railway

Used them as sex slaves

NEXT>

Question 19 of 20

19. During the Japanese occupation, the people of Malaya feared the secret police of Japan. What was it called? Hint

Comintern

Kempeitai

The Japanese Secret Police

Kuomintang

NEXT>

Question 20 of 20

20. One good thing came out of the Japanese occupation of Malaya. What was it? Hint

The Japanese provided products that would satisfy future generations

Malaya became more determined to achieve independence

Malaya built a stronger army

Stronger bonds with China

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In 1868, Mikado Meiji became Emperor of Japan. He introduced a new era for his country. What is that change called?

Answer: The Meiji Restoration

For thousands of years, the Japan closed itself from the outside world. When 1868 came, Emperor Meiji wanted to modernise Japan and transform it into an industrial and military power. These goals came to include the expansion of the Japanese Empire.

Answer: The whole of South-East Asia

After invading China, Japan had ambitions to take control of all of South-East Asia. This included French Indochina, British Hong Kong, Malaya and Singapore, the Dutch Indies (Indonesia), and the Philippines, which were under American control. In some respects this was easy, as France and the Netherlands had been invaded by Germany in 1940.

3. After Japan refused to stop the invasion of French Indochina, how did the U.S. respond?

Answer: With trade sanctions

The United States launched trade sanctions to stop the flow of trade of raw materials heading for Japan, in the hope that the Japanese army would halt their weakened forces. However, this action only fuelled the hatred of the United States by Japan and this would be the factor of the war against the United States.

4. What was the real significance of the Japanese slogan 'Asia for the Asians'?

Answer: It was an excuse for Japanese domination

It clearly states that Asia is only for Asians and the West should have not occupy these lands. However, this was just something to give false hope to the locals so that the Japanese could enter their countries with less difficulty.

5. When Japan invaded Malaya, they did not attack Thailand. Why?

Answer: Thailand just let them pass through to Malaya

Thailand allowed the Japanese army to invade Malaya from the north. Japan understood that Thailand was the only country in South-East Asia to have no Western country controlling it. Thus, Japan allowed Thailand to remain independent, while Thailand would let them pass.

Thailand was in the Axis with Japan, Germany and Italy. However, they only joined the Axis after Japan invaded Malaya, but only as a passive supporter and did not fight against the Allies.

6. In Malaya, there was a Malay soldier who is well-known for his sacrifice against the Japanese invasion. Name the heroic veteran.

Answer: Leftenan Adnan bin Saidi

Leftenan Adnan bin Saidi (1915-1942) was one of the bravest and best known soldiers of Malaya. He bravely led his men against the Japanese army, but could not hold out indefinitely. He was tortured to death, but his sacrifice will never be forgotten.

7. On the 15th of February, 1942, the British in Singapore surrendered to the Japanese, who were commanded by the "Malayan Tiger". Who was this "Malayan Tiger"?

Answer: Yamashita Tomoyuki

Lieutenant-General Yamashita Tomoyuki led the attack on Malaya from day one until the British surrender of Singapore in 1942. In 1944 he was captured by American forces in the Philippines and was hanged in 1946, after the Tokyo Trials.

8. Which of these was one of the many reasons why the Japanese was able to defeat the British?

Answer: The British were more focused on war in Europe

The British were unable to give top priority to fighting the Japanese in Malaya because they were already at war. At the time it was World War II and Nazi Germany had been bombing London and several other towns and cities in Britain since 1940. Also, the British were also fighting in North Africa against Germany and Italy.

They were also fighting the Battle of the Atlantic. So, there was less focus against the sudden Japanese invasion.

9. Two British ships were sunk in the South China Sea. What were the names of the ships?

Answer: The Repulse and the Prince of Wales

HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales were both sunk by Japanese torpedo bombers in the South China Sea on 10 December, 1941. It was an attempt by Britain to reassert its power in the region but ended in disaster.

10. The 'Kesatuan Melayu Muda' was an organization that helped the Japanese throughout the battle of Malaya. What was their role?

Answer: They guided the Japanese through the country

The KMM was formed in 1938, founded by Ibrahim Haji Yaakob. It served as the first major political party in Malaya, spreading anti-British propaganda throughout Malaya. When they heard that Japan would come and "liberate" Malaya, they acted fast to assist Japan against the British.

The Japanese army was able to gain detailed knowledge about the terrain of the country thanks to the KMM. The KMM also gave out anti-British propaganda and acted as spies for the Japanese.

11. After Japanese occupation began, Malaya was renamed 'Malai Baru'. What was Singapore's new name?

Answer: Syonan

Syonan was the new name for Japanese-occupied Singapore. It meant "Southern Island gained in the age of Sh�wa". The Japanese "celebrated" the fall of Singapore by committing atrocities in the city.

12. Students were forced to sing the Japanese anthem. What was it called?

Answer: Kimigayo

The Japanese anthem was 'Kimigayo', and students in schools across 'Malai Baru' had to sing it. Students also had to learn the Japanese language, 'Nippon-Go'.

13. To invade Malaya, the Japanese used this formidable fighter plane to combat the weaker British planes. What was it?

Answer: Zero

The A6M2 Zero fighter, manufactured by Mitsubishi, was the primary fighter plane of the Japanese Empire throughout World War II. The Japanese also used bicycles and 'Chi-Ha' tanks to invade Malaya.

14. Of the various sections of the population of Malaya, which suffered most under Japanese occupation?

Answer: The Chinese

It was pretty obvious that the Chinese suffered the worst possible treatment by the Japanese. The main factor in this was because of the Second Sino-Japanese War that was taking place in China at the same time as the Japanese occupation of Malaya.

15. Several anti-Japanese resistance groups were formed throughout Malaya. What was the significance of the Malayan People's Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA)?

Answer: It was formed by Communists

The Communist Party of Malaya was the founder of the MPAJA. The British hugely supported them with weapons and supplies that helped them fight the Japanese. These guerrilla fighters would later be the number one enemy of an independent Malaya, starting the Malayan Emergency of 1948 to 1960, fighting against the British and those who sought a free Malaya.

16. Another resistance group was the Wataniah of Pahang, with the Sultan of Pahang as 'Pemerintah Kehormat', but there was another famous person who joined Wataniah. Who was it?

Answer: Tun Abdul Razak

It was Tun Abdul Razak bin Hussein, who joined Wataniah. He later became the second Prime Minister of Malaysia.

17. In September, 1945, the Japanese returned Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah to the British. Why did this 'miracle' happen?

Answer: The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

On the 6th and 9th of August, 1945, the United States of America dropped the two atomic bombs, 'Little Boy' and 'Fat Man', on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. With Germany and Italy defeated in Europe, Japan, now alone in the Axis, finally surrendered to the Allies. Malaya was returned to the British.

Answer: Forced them to work at the Burma Railway

The Burma Railway, also called the Death Railway, was built by forced labour to support the Japanese invasion of Burma. It would be built from Bangkok to as far as Martaban, Burma. Thousands of Asian civilians and Allied POWs were forced to work in constructing this 724 kilometer-long railway.

After Japan surrendered, work on the railway was halted. It was not completed till 1958, by a less harsh Thailand.

19. During the Japanese occupation, the people of Malaya feared the secret police of Japan. What was it called?

Answer: Kempeitai

The Kempeitai were very similar to the Gestapo of Nazi Germany. They hunted down suspected enemies and spies throughout occupied lands and tortured them.

20. One good thing came out of the Japanese occupation of Malaya. What was it?

Answer: Malaya became more determined to achieve independence

The feeling of nationalism, hatred towards occupation and a desire for independence was what came out of the occupation. After the horrors of the occupation, Malayans would become stronger with their experiences and would try harder in winning independence from the British.

Source: Author WW2Master123

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