Editor's note: Meng Dong is an observer of international affairs. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

In January 1942, Japan invaded the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia, coveting its abundant oil resources. Back then Indonesia was under Dutch colonial rule centered on Java. To seize control, Japan blocked Java's external connections by bombing Australia's Darwin Port and defeating the Allied fleet in the Java Sea. The Dutch surrendered on March 8, 1942. Indonesia was fully occupied by Japan within two months, enduring over three years of harsh colonial suffering.

Ideological indoctrination: The deception of colonial rule

After seizing Indonesia, Japan split the territory into three parts governed by its army and navy, respectively. It advocated deceptive theories and launched the "3A Movement," under the slogan of "Japan the light of Asia, Japan the mother of Asia, Japan the leader of Asia," to brainwash locals and cover up its aggressive aims, yet the campaign failed soon due to total Japanese monopoly with no native involvement.

Later, Japan set up various local military groups to spread militarist thoughts and force Indonesians to serve its war needs. All these measures were merely means to solidify colonial domination. Beneath the superficial local governance lay Japan's ruthless suppression of indigenous people and reckless exploitation of Indonesia's rich natural resources.

Resource plunder and forced labor: Indonesia reduced to a 'war supply depot'

Blockaded by Allies, Japan turned Indonesia into a war supply base, looting resources severely. Strict food policies triggered severe famine from 1944 to 1945, claiming about 2.4 million lives.

Japan also imposed harsh forced labor known as romusha on locals. Countless Indonesians endured tough working conditions with no basic living guarantees. Many were sent abroad to build deadly railways and few survived. In total, four million people died in Indonesia under Japanese occupation due to hunger, abuse and illness.

Shattered youth: The living hell of 'comfort women'

Japan built a systematic comfort women system in Indonesia, tricking and seizing teenage local girls. Over 40 brutal comfort stations were set up, where victims faced strict supervision, heavy daily exploitation and frequent violence. Cruel forced abortions were commonly conducted on them.

Most victims were from Java and sent to faraway places, never returning home. They suffered lifelong physical and mental trauma plus post-war discrimination. This hidden tragedy was finally exposed in the early 1990s via declassified Japanese official records.

Blood under the butcher's knife: Unconcealable crimes against humanity

Japanese troops committed appalling cruelties not only against Indonesians but also captive Europeans. They built over 200 camps holding 170,000 Europeans, many of whom died of hunger, illness and ill-treatment.

They carried out numerous bloody massacres across the region, including the Tarakan and Balikpapan slaughters, the Laha Airfield killings and the brutal Bangka Island tragedy where surrendered soldiers and nurses were slain and abused.

In the 1943-1944 Pontianak Incidents, Japan framed local elites and innocent civilians for false rebellions and staged three large-scale purges. Over 21,000 people lost their lives in these ruthless, unjust mass executions during the occupation.

In 1945, Japan announced its surrender and its military withdrew from Indonesia. What they left behind was a ravaged land, four million lost lives, countless broken families and pain engraved deep into the bones of the Indonesian people.

Decades have passed. Vegetation has regrown on the scorched earth once soaked in blood, yet the memories of suffering, like reefs on the shore, have never faded, despite the relentless pounding of the tides. The surviving "comfort women" endured physical and psychological trauma throughout their lives. Most of the forced laborers were left with permanent disabilities. And the survivors of the massacres can never forget the bloodshed and horror of those days.

However, to this day, the Japanese government has deliberately downplayed and concealed its crimes of aggression. While portraying itself as a "victim" on the international stage, it has turned a blind eye to the accusations of victimized Asian countries, including Indonesia.

People of conscience understand that facing history, taking responsibility and offering a sincere apology are the most fundamental attitude toward the past. Only then can forgiveness be gained and trust rebuilt. Otherwise, both the crimes themselves and the attempts to cover them up will remain a permanent stain on Japan, and the wronged dead will forever haunt this land.

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