However , atrocities committed by the Japanese against Papuan and New Guinea civilians proved a persuasive recruiting tool .
Taking away so many able - bodied men caused hardship for their families and villages , as jobs they normally performed went undone , and food production fell away .
Atrocities committed by the Japanese against Papuan and New Guinea civilians proved a persuasive recruiting tool .
Taking away so many able - bodied men caused hardship for their families and villages , as jobs they normally performed went undone , and food production fell away .