Japanese occupation of West Sumatra

The Japanese occupation of West Sumatra, officially known as Sumatora Nishi Kaigan Shū (Japanese: スマトラ西海岸州, Hepburn: Sumatora Nishikaigan-shū; lit. 'West Coast Province of Sumatra'), took place from 1942 until 1945. During this period, the region was controlled by the Empire of Japan. Japanese forces entered Padang on 17 March 1942, encountering little resistance as Dutch colonial forces rapidly collapsed. Unlike most occupied territories in Indonesia, the government was headed by a Japanese civilian, rather than someone associated with the Japanese Imperial Army. Governor Yano Kenzo, the only civilian governor in occupied Indonesia, implemented policies aimed at incorporating local elites while advancing Japan’s strategic and economic interests.

The early stages of the occupation initially fostered nationalist aspirations, with figures such as Sukarno and Chatib Sulaiman influencing local political developments. However, Japan’s exploitative economic policies, forced labor system (rōmusha), and strict military control led to widespread suffering. Thousands of locals were conscripted into the Japanese war effort, with many forced to work on infrastructure projects such as the Muaro–Pekanbaru railway, resulting in high mortality rates. The Giyūgun (Indonesian: Laskar Rakjat, Japanese: 義勇軍, lit. 'Volunteer Army') , the only formal military unit established in West Sumatra, later became a foundation for Indonesia’s armed forces following the end of the occupation.

By 1944–1945, as the war turned against Japan, its rule in West Sumatra became increasingly repressive. Allied bombing raids, economic collapse, and growing unrest further weakened Japanese control. The occupation formally ended in stages, beginning with Japan’s surrender on August 15, 1945. However, the transition to Indonesian independence in West Sumatra was marked by political maneuvers, the dissolution of Japanese institutions, and the emergence of local resistance against returning Dutch forces.