World War II in Asia and the Pacific region began with the bombing of Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941 by Japan. In the days that followed, Japanese forces bombed Philippines and Singapore and landed in Borneo, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaya. Landing near Kota Bharu in Kelantan, the Japanese forced their way to Singapore where they defeated Britain. Malaya and Singapore came under the Japanese occupation. Under the leadership of Major Osene Yoshihiko, the Japanese ruled Melaka according to strict military administration. In order to develop an industrial sector to supplement the Japanese economy, the Japanese introduced a 5-year industrial and economic plan.