Editing Natuna Regency (section)

===Japanese Occupation Period (1942-1945)===
When [[Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies]] during World War II in 1942-1945, the Natuna Islands were also under the control of the [[Empire of Japan|Japanese Empire]]. Japan saw Natuna as a strategic location for their military defense because of its location in the South China Sea. Therefore, Japan built several military bases on these islands as part of their defense plan in the Southeast Asia region.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rinovsky |first=Riky |title=Learn a Little History on The Island of Natuna Subi |url=https://www.kompasiana.com/rikyrinovsky/5500363ba333111d7251003a/learn-a-little-history-on-the-island-of-natuna-subi |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=www.kompasiana.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=MelayuPedia |date=August 23, 2021 |editor-last=Inge |editor-first=Nefri |title=Pulau Subi, Jepang dan Perang Dunia Kedua |url=https://www.melayupedia.com/berita/424/pulau-subi-jepang-dan-perang-dunia-kedua |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=www.melayupedia.com}}</ref>

The Japanese occupation brought many difficulties to the people of Natuna, because in addition to the heavy Japanese military presence, food was also difficult to obtain.<ref>Hendri F. Isnaeni, "Pangan Zaman Perang di Indonesia". ''Historia.id''.(16 Okt 2020).Retrieved 10 November 2024.</ref> After Japan surrendered in 1945, Indonesia proclaimed independence, but Natuna still had to face a complicated transition period as colonial rule ended.