During the Japanese occupation, Manadonese, Ambonese, and Indo people were often randomly arrested during raids due to their perceived closeness to the Dutch. Many were severely tortured by the Kempeitai. Kawilarang was tortured several times by the Japanese in 1943 and 1944. He survived, but suffered lifelong disability in his right arm and numerous scars. Kawilarang recalls: "Someone in the warung stall said: 'Japan will grant the Indonesian people its freedom.' I could not ascribe any sense at all to such small talk. Impossible! That was my opinion. But I remained silent. I didn't feel much for more torture ... A news paper wrote: 'Japan is an old friend.' Lies! I thought. Kawilarang slowly developed an appreciation for the rhetoric of the charismatic Indonesian nationalist Sukarno and became strongly convinced that the time for an independent Indonesian state had arrived.