By the time of Burmese "independence" both the political and military leadership within Burma understood that the Japanese only intended to use them as a puppet government under their administration, but resolved to continue working together in the hopes that continued unity might eventually lead to a solution to the Japanese problem. Although Aung San did not agree with the Japanese policy or administration, he concealed this in public, and the Japanese did not grow to doubt his loyalty. He took advantage of the situation to have the Japanese train the nucleus of the Burmese army: by 1945 the Japanese had trained ten battalions of Burmese soldiers. During 1943 and 1944 Aung San was successful in convincing many factions within the Burmese army to delay their rebellion against the Japanese, ensuring them that the fight against them would take place at a time when it would be most advantageous.