Japanese occupation of Indonesia

The Japanese occupation of Indonesia (1942–1945) occurred during World War II when Japan took control of Indonesia, then a Dutch colony. Japan aimed to use Indonesia's resources for its war effort and sought to weaken Western influence in Southeast Asia. The occupation involved military control, suppression of local dissent, and efforts to mobilize Indonesians for Japan’s goals. While it brought some modernization, it was also marked by hardship and violence. The experience fueled Indonesian nationalist movements, contributing to the country's eventual independence in 1945 after Japan's surrender.