Under MacArthur and with the cooperation of the Japanese, Japan undertook tremendous changes in just seven short years — the Occupation lasted from 1945 to 1952. April 9, 1942. The japanese occupation of the philippines 1. Thousands died in the infamous Bataan Death March, and countless more were coerced into work details or brothels. MSFPhover = Eager to grab the country’s natural resources, the Japanese drove out the Americans and became the new masters of the archipelago. area where their thought other American units would land. Because that's what the textbook says. The US was then convinced to sign the Philippine Independence Act in 1934. // -->