World War II and Southeast Asia: Economy and Society under Japanese Occupation

From December 1941, Japan, as part of its plan to build an East Asian empire and secure oil supplies essential for war in the Pacific, swiftly took control of Southeast Asia. Japanese occupation had a devastating economic impact on the region. Japan imposed country and later regional autarky on Southeast Asia, dictated that the region finance its own occupation, and sent almost no consumer goods. GDP fell by half everywhere in Southeast Asia except Thailand. Famine and forced labour accounted for most of the 4.4 million Southeast Asian civilian deaths under Japanese occupation. In this ground-breaking new study, Gregg Huff provides the first comprehensive account of the economies and societies of Southeast Asia during the 1941-1945 Japanese occupation. Drawing on materials from 25 archives over three continents, his economic, social and historical analysis presents a new understanding of Southeast Asian history and development before, during and after the Pacific War.

Joint winner, 2021 Lindert-Williamson Prize for an Outstanding Book in Global, African, Asian, Australian, and/or South American Economic History, Economic History Association

‘... Huff’s work represents the most comprehensive ’total’ history of the occupation to date, including excellent sections on the origins and legacies of the interregnum which I shall recommend to students.’

Nicholas J. White Source: The Journal Of Historical Association

‘… author deserves high praise for his thorough scholarly reckoning of the occupation, a reckoning as important as it was overdue.’

Peter A. Coclanis Source: Mekong Review

‘Gregg Huff’s substantial and well-researched volume is the first attempt to produce an extensive and analytical study of the period. … a densely argued, deeply analytical and well-written account of that subject.’

Tilman Frasch Source: International Quarterly of Asian Studies

‘There is a great deal … to be admired in this book. It is serious, original, and well-conceived. Its unusual scope leads to many unexpected insights. … World War II and Southeast Asia is superb scholarship.’

Mark Harrison Source: War in History

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World War II and Southeast Asia

Economy and Society under Japanese Occupation

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