Japanese Economic Interest in Malaya and Japan-Malaya Relations in Historical Perspective

Abstract

This article will discuss Japanese-Malayan historical relations before and during World War II. In doing so, I will attempt to trace Malayan-Japanese relations and Japanese orientation towards Malaya until the end of World War II. The objectives of this article are: First, to prove that Japan had an economic interest in Malaya before World War II. Second, to establish the historical pattern of Japanese interests in Malaya and Japanese involvement prior to World War II in the inter-war years. Third, to present some new findings about Japanese involvement in Malaya based on declassified British Military Intelligence Reports on Malaya.