Asia Raja

Front page, 23 July 1942

Asia Raja (Perfected Spelling Asia Raya, both meaning "Grand Asia") was a newspaper published in the Dutch East Indies (modern day Indonesia) during the Japanese occupation.

Background

When the Japanese Empire occupied the Dutch East Indies in 1942, they tasked a group of writers and intellectuals to better integrate the native society; this was done in other occupied countries as well. Approximately 190 people of this "Propaganda Division" arrived in Batavia (modern day Jakarta) in early 1942, including novelist Tomoji Abe. Among their efforts was the founding of a newspaper, entitled Asia Raja.[1] This newspaper involved both Japanese and native persons in his management and publication.[2]

History

The first edition of Asia Raja, totaling four pages in length, was published on 29 April 1942.[2] It was subsequently published daily, except for Sundays and holidays, but important events could lead to special editions being published on any day of the week. The initial print run of 15,000 copies sold at 10 Netherlands Indies cents each.[3] Much of its native editorial staff originated from the Great Indonesia Party (Partai Indonesia Raya, or Parindra) journal Berita Oemoem, a conservative publication. Others originated from more radical, generally leftist, groups.[4]

In February 1943, the censorship bureau passed a decree declaring that Asia Raja could no longer publish four pages daily. Owing to a paper shortage caused by the Japanese war effort, the newspaper was limited to two pages daily, with an option for a four-page edition once a week; the board also called for an increase in subscription fees.[3] This took effect in March of that year. In 1944 a surcharge was added to allegedly help pay the salaries of forced labourers and Pembela Tanah Air (PETA) troops.[5]

On 12 March 1945, Asia Raja held a round-table conference at Miyako Hotel in Batavia. Numerous speakers from the New Life Movement (Gerakan Hidoep Baroe), led by Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta, held discourses on ways to invigorate the independence movement. These speakers included future government ministers Oto Iskandar di Nata and Maria Ulfah Santoso, as well as future Prime Minister of Indonesia Sutan Sjahrir. Asia Raja published in-depth transcriptions of the proceedings over a period of three days.[6]

After the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence on 17 August 1945, Asia Raja continued to publish. It focused mainly on details of the new native-run government and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.[5] It continued to publish until 7 September 1945, when it ran a large headline reading "Asia Raja Minta Diri" ("Asia Raja Recusing Itself"), ceasing publication due to the change in government.[7]

Today, each edition of Asia Raja has been set on microfilm and is hosted at the National Archives of Indonesia.[7]

Politics

As a propaganda tool, Asia Raja emphasised Japan's visions for a united, prosperous Asia and minimised any coverage of Japanese war crimes. Where coverage could stir up resentment, the paper presented the subject in a positive light; for example, forced labourers going to work outside of Java were described as heroes.[8]

The language used was decidedly pro-Japanese. While Japanese troops were described as "brave" and "powerful", the Allies were described as "wavering", "indecisive", and "weak".[9] These portrayals carried over into the newspaper's advertisements.[10]

Notable staff

Notable contributors

Several notable writers contributed poems, short stories, and serials to Asia Raja:

References

Footnotes
  1. ↑ Mahayana 2007, p. 177.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Mahayana 2007, p. 178.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Mahayana 2007, p. 179.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Mark 2011, p. 238.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Mahayana 2007, p. 180.
  6. ↑ Mrázek 1994, p. 251.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Mahayana 2007, p. 181.
  8. ↑ Mahayana 2007, p. 184.
  9. ↑ Mahayana 2007, p. 185.
  10. ↑ Mahayana 2007, p. 186.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 Mahayana 2007, pp. 209–215.
  12. ↑ Tempo 1975, Balfas Berpulang.
Bibliography