<prompt> Translate the following text to EnglishLakini ili kupata msaada wao, Wajapani waliendelea na heshima yao, wakarudisha malipo ya uzeeni, na kuhifadhi mamlaka yao angalau katika desturi za Wamalawi na dini ya Kiislamu.  <response>: But then, to gain their support, the Japanese upheld their prestige, restored pensions, and preserved their authority at least in Malay custom and Islamic religion. 