1943 or Showa 18 WWII Japanese Map of the Malay Peninsula w/ Singapore

This is a stunning 1943 or Showa 18 large format map of the Malaya Peninsula (Malaysia) and Singapore Island. Issued by the Japanese during World War II, this map is part of a series of maps promoting the Japanese imperialist concept of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere and illustrates the peninsula in considerable detail noting both physical and political elements. An inset city plan in the lower left quadrant depicts Singapore, labeled here as Shonan City. Superb detail regarding both topographical and political elements is provided throughout. Cities and roads are noted, along with air, sea and land trade routes. Shading displays oceanic depths. While Allied World War II maps of this region are fairly common, it is extremely rare to come across their Japanese counterparts. All text is in Japanese.

The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere

The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere (大東亜共栄圏) was an imperialist concept created and promulgated for occupied Asian populations between 1930 and 1945 by the Empire of Japan. The concept was announced by Hachirō Arita on June 29, 1940. The Co-Prosperity Sphere was intended as a self-sufficient 'bloc of Asian nations led by the Japanese and free of Western powers.' It covered Southeast Asia, Eastern China, Manchuria, Japan, the East India Islands, and parts of Oceania. The idea promoted the cultural and economic unity East Asians, Southeast Asians, and Oceanians.

Publication History

This map was created by the Japanese during World War II and issued as part of a 20 map Series of Great East Asia Maps. The Co-Prosperity Sphere map series was published by the Japan Publishing and Distribution Company, Ltd. (日本出版配給株式會社). This map is no. 9 in that series.