JS2224 / SSA2205

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE Department of Japanese Studies

Semester II Examination: 2009/10

JS2224 / SSA2205 JAPAN AND SINGAPORE

April May 2010 - Time Allowed: 2 Hours

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INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

1. 2. 4. 5.

This paper contains THREE (3) sections and comprises FIVE (5) printed pages. Answer both Sections A and B. Answer ONE (1) essay question in Section C. This is a Closed Book examination. Students are not allowed to bring any reference materials into the examination hall

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SECTION A Which of the following events occurred in which period? Write the letters (A-D) on your answer sheet and the number of event(s) you match with each period. 1862-1890 1891-1945 1945-1990 1990-present 1. 2. 3. 4. A B C D

The Japan Foundation was established for international cultural exchange. A group of Karayuki-san arrived in Singapore. Japanese engineers were sent to Singapore to assist the development of shipbuilding. The Fifth Industrial Fair at Osaka featured an academic humanity exhibit that showed human species geographically close to Japan proper. The Asia Centre was established to promote cultural exchange through the collaboration between Japan and Asian countries. Japan and Singapore signed the Economic Partnership Agreement. The ASEAN Cultural Centre was established for the promotion of arts exchange. The debate on blood-dead issue started in Singapore. Japan defeated the British in Singapore. The Society for International Cultural Relations was established to introduce Japan to foreign countries. Otokichi arrived at Singapore. NGOs were involved in international exchange activities and became major actors of Japanese cultural diplomacy. A wave of anti-Japanese activities occurred in Singapore against the Japanese invasion into China. Japanese Prime Minister Tanakas visit caused an anti-Japanese demonstration in Indonesia. The boom of Japanese female job seekers in Asia started. /3

5.

6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

11. 12.

13. 14. 15.

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SECTION B

Japanese presence and influence are structural phenomena. (Befu, 2003:9) Comment with reference to Japanese popular cultural presence in contemporary Singapore.

SECTION C (Answer any one question) 1. What motivations drove Japan to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Singapore? Write a concise essay on the Japan-Singapore EPA by referring to both international and domestic factors. 2. The following pictures are the extract from Boken Dankichi [The Adventure of Dankichi]. Write a concise essay answering the following questions: What image(s) of the people in the South (Southeast Asia and the Pacific) does this picture book artist present? What kind of Japanese world views and perceptions does this picture book reflect? What is the historical context in which the book was written?

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3. Read the following extract from Joseph Nyes work Soft Power. Write a concise essay discussing the relevance of Nyes concept of soft power to the Japanese presence in Southeast Asia. Be sure to support your claims with examples from the history of Japan-Southeast Asia relations.

(contd.) /5

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