North Borneo Under Japanese Occupation: 1941–1945

During the height of the Pacific War, the island of Borneo became a central theater of conflict. Between 1941 and 1945, the territories of northern Borneo underwent a period of intense military occupation by the Empire of Japan. This era reshaped the political landscape, brought profound economic shifts, and left a lasting legacy of both resistance and tragedy.

: A Japanese poster released following the beginning of the Pacific War, with the main slogan translated as "Let's win the Greater East Asia War!"

The Rapid Invasion of British Borneo

A Japanese propaganda mural in Jawi script from a building in the town of Kuching. The text, in the Malay language, reads "Ya Allah, terpeliharalah kami oleh tentera Jepun daripada aniayai" (O Allah, we are saved from persecution by the Japanese troops).

The Japanese campaign in Borneo began in December 1941. On 16 December, Japanese forces landed at Miri, Sarawak, having sailed from French Indochina. The momentum continued quickly; by 1 January 1942, the Japanese navy landed unopposed in Labuan. Shortly thereafter, forces occupied Mempakul and moved toward Jesselton.

By the end of January 1942, the Japanese had conquered the entirety of British Borneo. In a significant geopolitical shift, the Japanese renamed the regions: northern Borneo became North Borneo (Kita Boruneo), Labuan was renamed Maida Island (Maeda-shima), and the neighboring Dutch territories became South Borneo (Minami Boruneo). For the first time in modern history, the entire island of Borneo was under a single administration.

: Japanese military movement in the American-British-Dutch-Australian Command (ABDA) area from 1941 to 1942

Key Military Milestones

The invasion involved various specialized units and commanders. For instance, the 2nd Yokosuka Naval Landing Force was deployed to secure key coastal areas.

: Japanese paratroopers of the 2nd Yokosuka Naval Landing Force under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Genzo Watanabe (standing, top left) on a transport ship heading to Borneo prior to their invasion in December 1941

: Major General Kiyotake Kawaguchi, commander of the invasion force

Administration and Economy

Marquis Toshinari Maeda, the first commander of the Japanese forces in northern Borneo, pictured in 1941 before his death in 1942

Under Japanese rule, the administration was divided into five provinces, known as shūs. The capital was established in Kuching. The occupation brought significant changes to the local economy, as Japanese companies were granted monopolies on essential goods. Financial institutions like the Yokohama Specie Bank opened branches in Kuching, and the Japanese Southern Development Treasury oversaw regional investments.

The currency used during this period was the Japanese-issued dollar, colloquially known as "Banana money" due to the imagery on the notes.

: Japanese government-issued 1,000 dollar notes in 1945, featuring a man with water buffaloes in a stream

Summary of Japanese Occupation in North Borneo
Category	Details
Status	Military occupation by the Empire of Japan
Capital	Kuching
Official Language	Japanese
Currency	Japanese-issued dollar ("Banana money")
Key Commanders	Kiyotake Kawaguchi, Toshinari Maeda, Masataka Yamawaki, Masao Baba
Population (1945)	Approximately 950,000

Resistance and Guerrilla Warfare

The occupation was met with significant local and Allied resistance. As the tide of the war turned, Australian commandos were deployed to the island via US submarines. Working alongside the Allied Z Special Unit, they trained thousands of indigenous people to engage in guerrilla warfare.

Notable figures in the resistance included Albert Kwok, who led a movement in North Borneo, and Temenggong Koh anak Jubang, an Iban-Dayak warrior who participated in resistance operations in inland Sarawak.

: Albert Kwok, leader of a resistance movement in North Borneo

: Members of Operation Agas in sarongs made from parachute silk. The group was formed to carry out guerrilla warfare against the Japanese forces with the full support of the natives.

: Temenggong Koh anak Jubang (1870–1956), awarded the Queen's Medal for Chiefs and the Order of the British Empire by the British authorities is a well known indigenous Iban-Dayak warrior that involved in the resistance operation against the Japanese in inland Sarawak with the British Commissioner-General of Southeast Asia Malcolm MacDonald conclude that Temenggong Koh is a great head-hunter in his younger days before joining the security forces where the practice of headhunting are again implemented by him against the occupying Japanese forces.

Prisoner of War Camps and Human Cost

The occupation was marked by severe hardship for prisoners of war (POWs) and internees. Major camps were located in Kuching, Ranau, and Sandakan, with additional sites like Batu Lintang. The Batu Lintang camp held both military and civilian prisoners.

The human cost was devastating. It is estimated that the Japanese held approximately 4,660 prisoners and internees across northern Borneo, but only 1,393 survived to the end of the war. The Sandakan death marches, in particular, resulted in the deaths of over 2,000 Allied POWs.

: Batu Lintang camp in Kuching in 1945

: 9 of the 300 indigenous peoples, Malays and Javanese who survived Japanese detention in Miri

: A Chinese survivor of Japanese detention in Elopura

Liberation and Aftermath

The liberation of North Borneo began in June 1945. Australian and American forces conducted landings in North Borneo and Labuan. Following the surrender of Japan on 15 August 1945, Lieutenant General Masao Baba surrendered the Japanese forces in northern Borneo at Layang-layang beach, Labuan, on 9 September.

: Imperial Japanese Navy ships departing Brunei Bay for the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944

: General Hideki Tōjō of the Imperial Japanese Army and the Prime Minister of Japan inspecting an airfield in Kuching while Japanese troops give a salute during a visit on 7 July 1943

Post-war, the British Military Administration took control on 12 September 1945. War crimes trials were subsequently held on Labuan to address atrocities committed during the occupation. These trials resulted in numerous convictions, including the execution of those responsible for the Sandakan death marches and the administration of various POW camps.

: Peace and victory flag from the Jesselton Chinese Celebration Committee presented to the AIF following the end of the war in 1945

Key Facts

Occupation Period: 1941 to 1945.
Total Prisoners: Approximately 4,660 held; only 1,393 survived.
Liberation: Allied forces (primarily Australian and American) liberated the island in June 1945.
Surrender: Official Japanese surrender in northern Borneo occurred on 9 September 1945 at Labuan.
Administrative Change: The region was under British Military Administration before returning to pre-war status in 1946.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was "Banana money"?

"Banana money" was the colloquial name for the Japanese-issued currency used in occupied territories like North Borneo during World War II.

Who were the primary forces involved in the liberation of Borneo?

The liberation was carried out by a combination of Australian and American forces, supported by indigenous guerrilla groups and intelligence units like the Z Special Unit.

Where were the major POW camps located?

The major camps were situated in Kuching (Batu Lintang), Ranau, and Sandakan.

What happened to the Japanese administration after the war?

Following the surrender, the British Military Administration took over in September 1945, eventually returning the territory to its pre-war administrative positions by April 1946.

What was the significance of the Sandakan death marches?

The Sandakan death marches were a series of forced marches that resulted in the deaths of over 2,000 Allied POWs, leading to significant war crimes trials after the war.