Japanese policy and the Indian National Army

Abstract

Stephen F. Cohen states in an article in Pacific Affairs titled "Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army," "Little is known about the maneuvering and influence of the Japanese upon the creation and organization of the INA during the period Bose was its Commander." This paper attempts to illuminate this phase of Japan's southward push during the Pacific War, focussing on Japanese policy, Actually Mr. Cohen's remarks apply equally well to the first INA commanded by General Mohan Singh. I must at this point acknowledge my debt to Dr. K.K. Ghosh who preceded me in the study of the INA and who since Mr. Cohen wrote has helped to dispel our ignorance. Japan's wartime aims in India were never as clearly defined as in Southeast Asia. India was not embraced in the grand design for the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. Greater East Asia would sweep through Southeast Asia westward to the Indo-Burma border. Everywhere in Asia Western colonial rule would be driven out and independence movements encouraged. Asia for Asians became the goal and shibboleth. The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere would comprise an economically self-sufficient entity under Japanese tutelage.