Our father's 1944 education certificate

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We are pleased to share this 1944 Japanese Occupation certificate of education our late father kept. Direct translation of the Japanese from right to left, top to bottom:

This is a graduation certificate (修了證書) issued by 子普通公學校 (likely a primary school) to a student named Tan Kim Suan (タン キム スワン).

Key Details: Nationality: 支那 (an old term for China, not commonly used today).

Age: 13 years old.

Graduation Date: 昭和十九年三月四日 (March 4, 1944, in the Showa era).

Issuing Authority: 昭南特別市 (Shōnan Tokubetsu-shi), which was the Japanese name for Singapore during the Japanese occupation in World War II. Official Seal: The red stamp at the bottom indicates authenticity.

Interpretation: This certificate confirms that Tan Kim Suan (our late father) completed the seventh-year curriculum at this school in Japanese-occupied Singapore (昭南特別市) during WWII. It reflects the educational system under Japanese rule at that time. He once told us he wanted to keep this to remind him never to take things from granted even when the war was over, having himself undergone hardships during that unfortunate time.

March 1944


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