Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon officially opened the historical archive exhibition “Under the Grip of the Elder Brother: Tracing the Japanese Occupation in Indonesia through Philatelic Archives, 1941–1945” at Rumah Pohan, located in Semarang’s Old Town, on Sunday (May 31, 2026).

The exhibition was organized with the support of the History Study Program of Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) in collaboration with Rumah Pohan. It presents a unique collection of philatelic materials and historical archives that document various aspects of life during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia from 1942 to 1945.

In his opening remarks, Minister Fadli Zon emphasized the importance of philately as a historical source that helps the public understand significant chapters of Indonesia’s past.

“Through philatelic collections, we can observe one of the important episodes in our nation’s history, particularly during the Japanese occupation. These materials reveal how the Japanese administration carried out its colonial rule in a systematic and often harsh manner,” Fadli said.

The exhibition features six series of Japanese occupation-era postage stamps, 26 pieces of occupation currency, 87 postal history items, and 72 archival documents. Together, these collections offer insights into government administration, economic policies, social life, education, and communication systems under Japanese rule.

Among the highlights are stamps depicting Indonesian cultural symbols such as Borobudur Temple, traditional wayang performances, and West Sumatran vernacular architecture. The exhibition also showcases postal cards, censored mail, and official correspondence that illustrate the strict control exercised by the Japanese military administration over public communication.

Beyond philatelic collections, the exhibition explores the role of food production during wartime. Through archival materials and reproductions from the magazine Djawa Baroe, visitors can learn how agriculture became a strategic component of Japan’s war effort in Southeast Asia.

According to Bambang Rakhmanto, lecturer in the History Study Program at UNNES, food production was not merely an economic matter during the occupation period but a crucial element of military logistics.

“For the Japanese military government, rice fields were not only a source of food for the population but also an essential resource for supporting the war effort. Consequently, agricultural production was placed under strict supervision,” he explained.

The exhibition presents documents related to the introduction of Horai rice, agricultural propaganda campaigns, and the compulsory rice delivery system that required farmers to surrender part of their harvest to the colonial administration. These records demonstrate how food production became closely tied to state control and wartime needs.

Semarang Mayor Agustina Wilujeng Pramestuti expressed particular interest in the exhibition section dedicated to food policies during the occupation. She noted that the topic resonated with her previous research on food and Indonesia’s struggle for independence.

“This section is particularly interesting because I have conducted research on food in the context of Indonesia’s struggle. It provides valuable perspectives on how food became an integral part of people’s daily resistance and survival,” she said.

By bringing together stamps, currency, postal materials, and archival records, the exhibition offers visitors a comprehensive view of Japanese occupation policies and their impact on Indonesian society. More importantly, it highlights the resilience of ordinary people who endured hardship while navigating a period marked by war, surveillance, and scarcity.

The exhibition will remain open to the public for eight days, from May 31 to June 7, 2026, at Rumah Pohan in Semarang’s historic Old Town district.