Romusa labor is forced labor employed by the Japanese during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia (formerly the Dutch East Indies). This term is derived from the word rōmusha (労務者, 'labor, worker, coolie'), which literally means a person who has a certain employment contract and Romusa labor is forced labor employed by the Japanese during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia (formerly the Dutch East Indies). This term is derived from theRomusa labor is forced labor employed by the Japanese during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia (formerly the Dutch East Indies). This term is derived from the word rōmusha (労務者, 'labor, worker, coolie'), which literally means a person who has a certain employment contract and is mostly engaged in manual work. However, in today's Japanese, the word rōmusha has fallen out of use and has been replaced by the word rōdōsha (労働者, 'employee, worker'). During the colonial period, Romusa was treated forcefully and harshly by the Japanese. Most romusa are farmers, and since October 1943, the Japanese have required farmers to be romusa. They are sent to work in various places in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. The exact number of romusa is not known—with estimates ranging from 4 to 10 million people. word rōmusha (労務者, 'labor, worker, coolie'), which literally means a person who has a certain employment contract and is mostly engaged in manual work. However, in today's Japanese, the word rōmusha has fallen out of use and has been replaced by the word rōdōsha (労働者, 'employee, worker'). During the colonial period, Romusa was treated forcefully and harshly by the Japanese. Most romusa are farmers, and since October 1943, the Japanese have required farmers to be romusa. They are sent to work in various places in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. The exact number of romusa is not known—with estimates ranging from 4 to 10 million people.is mostly engaged in manual work. However, in today's Japanese, the word rōmusha has fallen out of use and has been replaced by the word rōdōsha (労働者, 'employee, worker'). During the colonial period, Romusa was treated forcefully and harshly by the Japanese. Most romusa are farmers, and since October 1943, the Japanese have required farmers to be romusa. They are sent to work in various places in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. The exact number of romusa is not known—with estimates ranging from 4 to 10 million people.