All of the combatants of World War II were masters at propaganda. Propaganda was meant to discourage troops, rally support for your cause, and cause general confusion and disorganization amongst your enemies. Following their attack on the United States at Pearl Harbor, the military leaders of the Empire of Japan turned their sights on the Philippines. As naval and ground assault forces pressed their attacks, the Japanese forces also engaged in psychological warfare. An important tool of psyops is an organized propaganda campaign. The Japanese used a two-prong propaganda attack. First, attempts were made to discourage American troops. Propaganda aimed at Americans focused on the isolated nature of the Philippines and encouraged surrender. They painted the American effort as hopeless to damage the morale of American soldiers. The second aim of Japanese propaganda was to win over the Filipino people. Japenese communications to the Filipinos depicted Franklin Roosevelt as an imperialist overlord. The Japanese urged Filipinos to return to their homes and jobs and refuse to fight with Americans. The Japanese claimed to be establishing a "paradise for Filipinos" under Japanese protection.

The Japanese, after conquering the island nation, attempted to make the Filipinos more like the Japanese through the use of propaganda. Learn more about this in the link below.