New Delhi: In the modern era, Hong Kong has witnessed several outside forces controlling its territory, including Imperial Japan during World War II. At that time, Hong Kong was a colony of the British Empire. During the war, Japan was part of the Axis camp while the British Empire was a key played of the Allied camp. The Japanese occupation of Hong Kong lasted for three years and eight months and the day when Japan surrendered the territory is known as Liberation Day.
How did Japan occupy Hong Kong?
The Nazi Germany, the Fascist Italy and the Imperial Japan formed the core of the Axis Powers during World War II. Nazi Germany was almost at the peak of its military strength in 1941, having invaded Poland, subjugated France and controlled much of Western Europe. Meanwhile, Japan decided to invade China and faced little resistance, with only the US imposing an embargo on them regarding the sale of oil. On December 7, 1941, Japan entered World War II with the occupation of Malaya.
On December 8, 1941, Japan began its invasion of Hong Kong. The British, Indian and Canadian forces with the help of the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Forces tried to stop the invading Japanese forces but failed. On December 18, the Japanese forces crossed Victoria Harbour. Following a fierce fight on December 25, 1941, British colonial officials led by Mark Aitchison Young, Hong Kong’s governor, surrendered to Japan. The local people dubbed this day as the ‘Black Christmas’. General Rensuke Isogai was appointed as the first Imperial Japanese governor of Hong Kong on February 20, 1942.
When did Japan surrender Hong Kong?
During its occupation of Hong Kong, Japan imposed martial law on the territory and ensured that it controlled every sector, particularly the economy and the industries. But the graph of its fortunes in World War II was steadily going down. It sustained heavy losses in the battles and failed to achieve any significant success. After the Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbour, the US retaliated by dropping two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, effectively destroying the country. Japan was forced to surrender on August 15, 1945. The Imperial Japanese Army handed over Hong Kong to the Royal Navy on August 30, 1945, and the UK once again gained control over it. The day was declared as ‘Liberation Day’ and was a public holiday in Hong Kong until 1997.
The Japanese occupation of Hong Kong lasted for three years and eight months and the day when Japan surrendered the territory is known as Liberation Day. It was a public holiday in Hong Kong until 1997. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
