The 'transformative' perspective explains that the Japanese Occupation was a major turning point in …show more content…
The Japanese Occupation had provided learning lessons for Singapore, most crucially the importance of internal defence and Singapore's right to her own sovereignty. The biggest example of this was the failure of Britain to protect Singapore during World War II, as this meant that after independence, Singapore needed to be able to protect herself without external dependence. This led to the introduction of National Service in 1967, the creation of a citzens' army. When the British, facing economic difficulties, withdrew all its military forces in 1971, then Minister Lee Kuan Yew stated that there will be 'no gap', meaning that Singapore forces will immediately replace the withdrawing British troops.3 This shows that the Japanese Occupation had moulded the direction of Singapore post-independence as well, with the case of National Service still being a defining part of Singapore