How did the Japanese Occupation change the lives of people in Singapore?

The fall of Singapore marked the beginning of a brief but tumultuous chapter of Singapore's history. Singapore was renamed 'Syonan-to' which meant 'the Light of the South' or 'the Radiant South'
Following the British surrender, the Japanese military police, Kempeitai, were sent to restore order in Singapore.

Japanese troops marching into Raffles Place after the British surrender on 16 February 1942

When the Japanese military took control of the island, they had plans to deal with the Allied troops and the people of Singapore. The Japanese interned the British, Australians and Allied Europeans in Singapore, including women and children. Allied soldiers were forced to march from the Padang to Selarang Barracks, which was 22 kilometres away. European civilians were marched to Katong first before going to Changi Prison.

The Japanese used fear to rule Singapore. The cruelty of the Kempeitai kept people in a constant state of anxiety and fear.
At the slightest offence, punishment was swift and severe. Many anti-Japanese suspects were subjected to terrible torture or decaptitation at the Kempeitai center.

Information taken from : Marshall Cavendish Education (2007). SINGAPORE FROM SETTLEMENT TO NATION PRE-1819 TO 1971. Singapore. MOE Building