On August 17, 1945, two days after the Japanese surrender, an Indonesian Republic was declared by President Soekarno. Postal administration remained under Japanese control until September. Gradually the Netherlands Indies Civil Administration began to restore services under Dutch administration but Republican currency and stamps, although not recognized internationally, were used in the gradually shrinking areas under Republican control. There was no postal service between the Republican enclaves on Java and Sumatra so each area had its own local issues. Issues inscribed N.R. Indonesia (Negara Republik Indonesia or National Republic of Indonesia) were used in Sumatra. Between 1947 and 1949 many local overprints appeared in response to inflation and currency changes.