Eat to Live: Wartime Recipes
Episode 3: Fishing for Food
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During the Occupation, the Japanese introduced a new currency, which locals called 'banana notes', and implemented kumiai, a monopoly system for the control of food prices and supply. Due to corruption and inflation, the currency was severely devalued and the kumiai was not effective, resulting in the emergence of black markets. To feed their families, many young people were forced to work and learn how to trade in the black markets where food became the preferred currency. However, living on an island also had its advantages, as people turned to the waters for food.