In 1942, in view of the danger of Japanese attack, Hatta and Sjahrir suggested to the Dutch Government to initiate an emergency programme for the training of Indonesia for the defence of their homeland. However, the Dutch Government did not respond favourably and refused to permit the Indonesians to form their own defence units.

The attitude of the Dutch in Indonesia did not undergo any change even after the defeat of Netherlands at the hands of Hitler’s. On the other hand, they resorted to more police force, increased political arrests and further restrictions on the nationalists.

As a result, the tension between the Dutch Government and the people greatly increased. In view of this tension the Dutch could not offer any effective opposition to the Japanese. when they attacked Indonesia, and made a complete surrender on 9 March, 1942, within a week of Japan’s attack.

Japanese Control. Though the occupation of Indonesia by the Japanese did not lead to the emancipation of the Indonesian people, gave a new direction to the nationalist struggle. They soon after occupation of the country released all the national leaders.

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They also declared their faith in the principle ‘,Asia for the Asians’ and ‘Greater Asia Co-prosperity Sphere.’ The Japanese did everything possible to build up Indonesian antagonism towards the Dutch in particular and the white men in general. They organized an all inclusive political party, youth groups and labour organization. The Indonesian leaders, keeping in view the exigencies of time; divided themselves into two sections and started working according to a strategic plan.

While one section extended passive cooperation to the Japanese, the other continued the struggle from underground. However, these sections maintained close co-ordination in their movement.

The Japanese occupation of Indonesia proved to be a boon for the Indonesians. As the Japanese did not have sufficient number of men to man the administration in Indonesia they appointed the Indonesian to various administrative, technical and supervisory posts. This provided the Indonesians the first real opportunity of self-government and gave them sense of power and dignity.

It also convinced them that they could very well govern their own country. The Japanese also provided the Indonesians extensive training in rudiments of military warfare (though purely with a view to promote their own interests). It further increased the power and confidence of the Indonesians.

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The Japanese rule was not an unmixed blessing. The Japanese pro­vided to be more ruthless rule and worst exploiters than the Dutch and taught the people to steal and cheat. In the words of Sjahrir, during the period of three and half years of Japanese occupation “everything spiritu­ally as well as materially was taken loose from its old mooring.”

But despite the fact that the period of Japanese occupation was a terrible period, it produced number of good results. To quote Dr. Hatta, “While the people groaned under Japanese excesses, they began to take stock of the Dutch and the consequences of Dutch rule. With sharper insight they were able to perceive how ineffective and valueless the Dutch administration had been. From that moment Indonesia awakened to the truth and there was a sudden upsurge of nationalism stronger and deeper than ever before.” ‘