The Short -Lived Japanese Period

THE SHORT- LIVED JAPANESE PERIOD

1941-1944

                When the Second World War broke out, the airport of Davao City was bombed by the Japanese planes (camouflaged as U.S. planes) on December 8, 1941. But the actual landing of the Japanese Imperial Forces was on December 20, 1941, a couple of weeks after the bombing. When the fearful Dabawenyos heard that the Japanese soldiers have landed, they evacuated to the outskirts but some opted to stay in the city. Davao was occupied by the Japanese Forces under the command of Admiral Shiroya. The Japanese settlers in Davao, planters as well laborers, became soldiers of the Japanese Imperial Army. These Japanese, together with the soldier of the invading forces, became the occupation units and controlled Davao City. Those who came as business executives during the late 30’s turned out to be military majors and colonels.

                When order was reestablished in the city, Engineer Alfonso Oboza became the mayor followed for a while by Atty. Donato Endriga. When peace and tranquility reigned in the community, most of the people who evacuated to the outskirts came back to the poblacion. The prevailing means of livelihood of most of the people were farming, ,”buy and sell” business. Salt making (by boiling seawater) became an industry.

                Public elementary and secondary schools in the poblacion were opened and the Japanese language (Nippongo) was taught to the students side by side with the National Language and English but few students attended classes. Life seemed not normal to many Filipinos because many were victims of the atrocities committed by the Japanese soldiers. Clothes were difficult to secure and food became a big problem.

                About the end of the Japanese rule in Davao when the city was constantly bombarded by the American Air Forces, the seat of government was transferred to Tugbok, west of the city proper. Again, it was moved to the  hills of Tamugan.