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Synopsis :

In this programme, the spotlight falls on two Japanese shrines that were built during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore during World War II to commemorate the war dead. The Syonan Jinja is a Shinto shrine near Sime Road on the western part of the MacRitchie Reservoir. The Syonan Chureito is on top of Bukit Batok where Britain's General Percival surrendered to Japanese General Yamashita in February 1942. Like shines built by the Japanese in Korea or China, these temples served as symbols of Japanese domination where locals showed their obedience to Japanese authority. Both shrines were torn down when the Japanese surrendered to prevent them from being desecrated by the returning Allied forces. The ashes of the Bukit Batok shrine were moved to a Japanese temple downtown. Visitors find it difficult to see the ruins of  the MacRitchie shrine as they are quite inaccessible.