Japanese occupation of Singapore

The Japanese occupation of Singapore in World War II took place from 1942 to 1945 , following the fall of the British colony on 15 February 1942. Military forces of the Empire of Japan occupied it after defeating the combined Australian, British, Indian, and Malayan garrison in the Battle of Singapore. The occupation was to become a major turning point in the histories of several nations, including those of Japan, Britain, and the then-colonial state of Singapore. Singapore was renamed , meaning "Light of the South".