Japanese Invasion Bank notes donated
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 24 2014: A retired Police Officer and former Judicial Magistrate, Sarangthem Manaobi Khoiranthaba of Canchipur donated a large number of Japanese Invasion Bank notes to the World War II Memorial Foundation of Manipur on Friday.

The currency notes handed over by the retired Police Officer included several 10 Cents notes, half (1/2) and 1 Rupee notes, 5, 10 and 100 Rupees notes which were circulated by the Imperial Japanese Army during the Second World War.

While interacting with the Foundation members, Sarangthem Manaobi, who recently contested the Lok Sabha Election from Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, said that the currency notes were preserved by his parents who had settled at Wangjing during the Second World War.

Sarangthem Manaobi donated a large number of Japanese Invasion Bank notes to the World War II Memorial Foundation of Manipur

Narrating the story told by his father late S.Khoidum Singh, Manaobi said that during the Second World War the Imperial Japanese Army along with Indian National Army (INA) advanced upto Moirang on the South West, Pallel and outskirts of Wangjing on the South East, Ukhrul on the East, while on the north, the Imperial Japanese Army advanced upto Motbung and Kangpokpi.

The former Commandant of 7th Bn.

Manipur Rifles said that, "During their occupation, the Japanese Army circulated such currency notes of various denominations to the people of the state.

Sometimes, the currency notes were also airdropped" .

"However, the Allied forces discouraged the local people from accepting and using such currency notes ", he recalled.

While thanking Sarangthem Manaobi for generously donating the currency notes, AK Pradhan, Secretary Information & Publicity of the Foundation, said that the Japanese Invasion Money, officially known as "Southern Development Bank Notes", was the currency issued by the Japanese Military Authority during the Second World War.

The currency notes were issued in Rupees, Dollar, Shilling, Pesos, etc.

as a replacement of local currencies by the Japanese after conquering the British colonies and States.

When the Imperial Japanese Army invaded Burma and advanced towards India through Manipur in 1942-1944, the Japanese Military Authority issued paper script currency in the denominations of 1, 5, and 10 Cents, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 5, 10 and 100 Rupees bank notes.

However, the Allied forces counterfeited the Japanese invasion bank notes throughout the war in an attempt to demoralize the Japanese Army by destabilizing the local economy and to supply the guerrillas who were fighting the Japanese.

The Allied forces also air dropped the counterfeited bank notes of Japanese in various denominations during the War.