Today is V-J [Victory over Japan] or V-P [Victory in the Pacific] day.
62 years ago, At 12pm Japan Standard Time in 1945, Emperor Hirohito’s announced Japan’s acceptance of the terms of the Potsdam Declaration, and it was broadcast to the Japanese people over the radio. This is the first time the Japanese people heard the voice of their God-Emperor.
Japan was the last Axis power to surrender and with its surrender, World War II – a savage, vicious and devastating war, officially comes to an end. It signals the end of Colonialism, the defeat of Militarism and the triumph of the free world against Fascism.
A new era is ushered in Asia and within the next 20 years, countries in South East Asia all come to gain their independence from their former colonial powers, either through open rebellion or by peaceful negotiations.
Below is a list of South and South-East Asian countries which gain independence since the end of World War II
- Indonesia – From Holland: Aug 17, 1945
- Vietnam – From France: Sep 2, 1945
- Philippines – From US: Jul 4, 1946
- India – From UK: Aug 15, 1947
- Myanmar – From UK: Jan 4, 1948
- Sri Lanka – From UK: Feb 4, 1948
- Laos – From France: 19 Jul 1949
- Cambodia – From France: Nov 9, 1953
- Malaysia – From UK: Aug 31, 1957
- Singapore – Self rule from UK: Jun 3, 1959 / Independece from Malaysia Aug 9, 1965
- Brunei – From UK: Jan 1, 1984
The list does not include Bengladesh and Pakistan as they were split from India as a result of a war.