Developments during the Japanese occupation 4. There undoubtedly exists a widespread movement against allowing the French to return to F.I.C. which is further complicated by the attitude of the Chinese and of the Americans. The fact that an Asiatic race had defeated both the British and French in South East Asia undoubtedly encouraged nationalist tendencies in Indo-China. These were further stimulated by the Japanese grant of independence, although Japanese control through the native monarchs was, in fact, as firm as that of the French.