ITEMS

Image of the Philippines in Japanese Propaganda

This photograph is from the August 6, 1941 edition of the Photographic Weekly Report (Shashin Shuho), which was a weekly pictorial journal published by the Japanese Cabinet Intelligence Department during the interwar years of 1938-1945. This magazine functioned as propaganda that the Japanese government used to shape public moral for the war. This photo is a piece of Japanese propaganda showing Filipinos in traditional attire, waving Japanese flags in a parade celebrating the Japanese Diet "granting" the Philippines its independence. The image caption reads "The reaffirmation by Prime Minister Tojo at the beginning of the reconvened Diet of the anticipated granting of independence to the Philippines has boosted the determination of the Philippine people to pour forth their precious sweat in cooperating with Japan. This past 8 February, in Manilla's Luneta Park, the Citizens Rally of Gratitude [toward Japan] took place. The citizens' elaborate parade down the city's main avenue expressed their fervent wish [for independence], receiving thunderous applause." (Translation from: David C. Earhart, ed., "Certain Victory: Images of World War II in the Japanese Media" (Armonk, NE: M.E. Sharpe, 2008), 295)

Jacar (Japan Center for Asian Historical Records), "A Window into the Early Show Period: Shashin Shuho: Weekly Photographic Journal," March 17, 1943 issue, https://www.jacar.go.jp/english/shuhou-english/pdf/all/A06031085800.pdf

1943-03-17

Public Domain

PWR_JapaneseFilipinoPropaganda.jpg