Rare World War II Japanese surrender agreement on display at Changi Chapel and Museum

The Japanese surrender agreement, signed aboard the HMS Sussex in 1945, is the newest artefact displayed at Changi Chapel and Museum (CCM).

CCM is a museum dedicated to the lives of the prisoners of war and civilians interned in Changi prison camp during the Japanese Occupation from 1942 to 1945.

The document is an apt addition to CCM’s exhibition as they commemorate the 76th anniversary of the Japanese surrender to the Allied Powers this September.

The artefact, which provides insight on the Japanese surrender of Singapore, will be displayed at CCM for six months, as it is on loan from National Museums Scotland.

It was discovered by assistant curator with the National Museum of Singapore, Rachel Eng, and was once thought to be lost.

This particular Japanese surrender agreement was signed a week before the official surrender ceremony held at the Municipal Building (now known as City Hall), which marked the official end of the Japanese occupation in Southeast Asia

Apart from this agreement, visitors can also view more than 100 artefacts across eight exhibition zones.

If you are interested in visiting CCM, you will need to pre-book your museum tickets as there is limited gallery capacity. 

Admission is free for all Singaporean citizens and permanent residents.