Japanese World War 2 Occupation Stamps
This category encompasses stamps issued by various territories across East Asia and the Pacific that fell under Japanese military administration during the Second World War. These issues often represent provisional postal systems established by the Imperial Japanese Army, superseding previous colonial or sovereign postal authorities.
- Issued stamps
- 1941–1945
- Region
- Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania
- Languages
- Japanese, Burmese, Malay, Tagalog, Dutch, Chinese, English
- Issuer type
- Occupation postal administration
- Part of
- Japan
History and background
Stamps from these occupations typically feature Japanese script alongside local languages or denominations, reflecting the imposition of Japanese administrative control. The postal history within these regions is characterized by rapid changes in issuing authority, often involving overprints on existing colonial stamps or the introduction of entirely new definitive series reflecting the wartime political landscape.
Further reading: Wikipedia
How to identify them
- Look for Japanese characters (Kanji or Katakana) overprinted on existing colonial stamps.
- Identify new definitive issues featuring Japanese designs or local motifs with Japanese text.
- Check for specific occupation names or dates on the stamps, often in conjunction with the original issuing entity's name.
- Note the currency denominations, which may be in local currency, Japanese Yen, or a combination.
Popular series
-
Burma Occupation Overprints
1942-1945
Stamps of British Burma overprinted with Japanese characters or new designs, often featuring pagodas or local motifs.
-
Malaya Occupation Issues
1942-1945
Stamps of various Malayan states overprinted with Japanese text, sometimes with new designs or denominations.
-
Philippines Occupation Issues
1942-1945
Stamps of the United States and Commonwealth of the Philippines overprinted with Japanese text, often featuring local scenes or symbols.
-
Netherlands Indies Occupation Issues
1942-1945
Stamps of the Netherlands Indies overprinted with Japanese characters, often with new designs or denominations for specific regions like Java or Sumatra.
Value overview
Typical ranges as orientation, not prices for a particular stamp. Condition, variety and demand decide the value of your copy; for current asking prices, check listings or the app.
- Common stamps
- $1–$20
- Scarce stamps
- $100–$5,000+
Value varies significantly based on the specific occupation territory, rarity of the overprint or issue, condition, and whether it's on cover. Errors, varieties, and stamps from less common occupation areas can command higher prices. Many common issues are inexpensive.
Catalogs. Japanese World War 2 Occupation stamps are listed in the major world catalogs: Scott, Michel and Stanley Gibbons. Catalog numbers and groupings differ between them; the Stamp Identifier app shows the numbers it can find for your stamp.
Questions about Japanese World War 2 Occupation stamps
Japanese World War 2 Occupation stamps are postage stamps issued by the Imperial Japanese military administration in various territories across East Asia and the Pacific during World War II (1941-1945). These stamps often involved overprints on existing colonial stamps or entirely new issues, reflecting the temporary Japanese control.
The value of Japanese World War 2 Occupation stamps varies widely. Many common issues are relatively inexpensive, ranging from $1 to $20. However, rare overprints, specific varieties, errors, or stamps from less common occupation territories, especially those on cover, can be quite valuable, fetching hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
To identify Japanese World War 2 Occupation stamps, look for Japanese characters (Kanji or Katakana) overprinted on stamps originally issued by British, Dutch, American, or other colonial powers. New definitive issues will feature Japanese designs or local motifs with Japanese text. A photo in the Stamp Identifier app gives a first identification; check the catalog number in a specialised catalog before relying on it.
Japanese World War 2 Occupation stamps are extensively listed in major philatelic catalogs. You can find them in the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue (typically within the country sections of the occupied territories), the Michel Ostasien-Katalog, and the Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps Catalogue (for former British territories) and other specialized catalogs.
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