During the Japanese Occupation, western films were banned and many large cinemas, such as Capitol, Oriental and Majestic, were occupied by the invading forces. Renamed in Japanese names, they were then used to screen Japanese propaganda flicks in an attempt to justify their invasion of Asia. (Adapted from http://remembersingapore.org/2012/08/02/singapore-cinemas-history/
One of the most surprising things that my uncle could tell me was that gambling was carried out at "Happyworld" which was an amusement park located in Geylang. His parents would work there at night, manning the gambling stalls. He was even able to describe some of the games to me. I found this really surprising because the last thing I would expect people to do during these critical times was to gamble! Gambling as it turned out was a form of recreation for the people. It was a form of escape from the harsh conditions of the Japanese Occupation. People gained hope from winning at the game of chance. -Koh Leong Kwan (Adapted from www.hsse.nie.edu.sg/staff/.../oralhistoryjap_occupation_joo_chiat.doc)
We did not have a radio and there was never any entertainment," Mdm Wong recalled.Gambling was not allowed. Congregating together was illegal and this made any form of gathering impossible. People were afraid to even talk to one another. Madam Wong said that besides doing the necessary things to survive, Singaporeans then did little else but sleep. " -Mdm Wong Len Cheng (Adapted from http://ourstory.asia1.com.sg/war/headline/torture2.html
 Guide to Radio LessonsThis booklet contains Japanese language lessons meant for broadcast over radio.It was jointly published by the central broadcast bureaus of Syonan,Kuala Lumpur,Penang and Taiping.-Courtesy of National Museum of Singapore |  Japanese Song BookletPublished by the Japan Broadcasting Corporation,this booklet contains the lyrics and score to the first of a series of nationalistic songs broadcast over the radio in Japan from the late 1930s.The songs were aimed at boosting patriotism towards the "motherland"(Japan)and promoting Japanese language and culture in occupied territories.-Courtesy of National Museum of Singapore |  Courtesy of Old Ford Factory(S'pore)One of the more well-known movies "On To Singapore",a Japanese-made film about the Malayan Campaign.The film was made in Malaya and featured more than 1,000 American,British,Dutch and Australians POWs as extras.-Courtesy of Old Fort Factory Singapore (National Archives of Singapore) |
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 Courtesy of Old Ford Factory(S'pore)Description about amusement parks and films |  Courtesy of Old Ford Factory(S'pore)Description about traditional story-telling in Chinatown teahouses |  Courtesy of Old Ford Factory(S'pore)Description about newspapers and radio broadcasts in Singapore |
 Courtesy of Old Ford Factory(S'pore)Description about newspapers |  Japanese LotteryDuring the Japanese Occupation, all sorts of gambling were unofficially allowed.The Japanese even introduced a lottery called Konan Saiken, Singapore's first ever state lottery, in 1942, to raise revenue for their administration. With the top prize $50,000, each ticket cost $1 and all civil employees were required to buy. (Picture from http://www.malaysiadesignarchive.org/). Courtesy of http://remembersingapore.org/2011/11/30/4d-mahjong-and-chap-ji-kee/) |  Courtesy of National Museum S'poreThis poster boldly taunts cinemagoers to see "how the invincible imperial army" brought about the fall of Singapore, "a much vaunted impregnable fortress".The film was presented by Eiga Haikyusha(the film arm of the Japanese Imperial Army), which took full control of film distribution and all theatres in Syonan.Visiting the cinema during the Occupation period could be hazardous,however,as the Japanese were known to round up people in the gekijo(theatres)for forced labour. -Courtesy of NMS-Sing |
 Courtesy of National Museum S'poreThis is a colour poster for Tsubasa no Gaika(A Triumph of Wings),a Japanese wartime movie released in 1942 by the Toho Film Company.Many such films were screened in Singapore and other parts of Asia to instil belief in Japanese military supremacy and extol seishin-the Japanese spirit of loyalty,discipline and determination.A lack of alternative movie choices coupled with curiosity meant that many people did eventually watch these films-Courtesy of National Museum of Singapore |  Chinese Movie PosterCourtesy of Old Ford Factory (Singapore). |  Instructions for Radio ExercisesThe Japanese introduced a regimen of daily mass exercises called rajio taiso to both young and old in Syonan,which were broadcast to instructions and rhythmic music on public radio twice a day.The emphasis on physical education served to instil discipline and get the masses fit for military conscription whenever required.A fit and disciplined people also bode well for the image of an Asian country benefiting from Japanese rule. -Courtesy of National Museum of Singapore |
 Courtesy of National Museum S'poreThese tickets are stamped with the words "Syonan-to New World Amusement Park". Stalls selling various goods, drinks and food continued to operate at amusement parks such as New World and Great World during the Japanese Occupation.In addition to restaurants and gambling stalls, opera performances were held at these parks to entertainment patrons. -Courtesy of National Museum of Singapore |
During the Japanese Occupation, the Japanese Broadcasting Department moved into the (Cathay Cinema) building, took over the existing broadcasting facilities and, in March 1942, began Radio Syonan's transmissions from here. Later, their Propaganda Department Headquarters and Military Information Bureau were stationed here too. The restaurant became the dining room for Japanese military officers stationed in the building. Occasional movie screenings were held for the public but these films were from existing stock in the storerooms. The fourth-floor preview theatre screened American movies exclusively for Japanese officers. Outside the building, there were human heads stuck on poles; these were beheaded looters and other victims of the Japanese military. (Adapted from http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_532_2004-12-17.html?v=1&utm_expid=85360850-6.qNOOYF40RhKK6gXsQEaAJA.1&utm_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com.sg%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3D%26esrc%3Ds%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D6%26ved%3D0CDsQFjAF%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Feresources.nlb.gov.sg%252Finfopedia%252Farticles%252FSIP_532_2004-12-17.html%26ei%3DktWYVa-4LdeVuATlypJ4%26usg%3DAFQjCNGxfFUDc5yteOZEsSN6iwEt-cfbcQ
During the Japanese Occupation, the Japanese turned all the Worlds into gambling farms, encouraging Chinese businessmen, like the Shaw Brothers, to run the parks as gambling dens. As these dens were precluded from raids, the bright lights at the Worlds continued. They attracted gamblers who fed into the Japanese effort to derive revenue from tax and license fees of gambling farms. The Japanese though were not allowed in the gambling farms but they could patronise the cabarets and nightclubs. When rumours about the Japanese surrender were rife in August 1945, the gambling stalls in all the Worlds closed down. (Adapted from http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1044_2006-06-01.html?v=1&utm_expid=85360850-6.qNOOYF40RhKK6gXsQEaAJA.1&utm_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com.sg%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3D%26esrc%3Ds%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D7%26ved%3D0CEEQFjAG%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Feresources.nlb.gov.sg%252Finfopedia%252Farticles%252FSIP_1044_2006-06-01.html%26ei%3DktWYVa-4LdeVuATlypJ4%26usg%3DAFQjCNEj0Xs0I7anH64oB1WYJMi1dezb6g
There was very little entertainment of any kind, no enjoyment. All the main theatres were reserved exclusively for Japanese soldiers.
(Adapted from Syonan My Story: The Japanese Occupation of Singapore by Mamoru Shinozaki)