Introduction of South Manchurian Railway Company Related Documents

The items released on the JACAR website mainly consist of official documents created by governmental organizations, including army and navy records, which have been provided by the National Archives of Japan, the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Institute for Defense Studies of the Ministry of Defense. JACAR also releases documents that were created by semi-public companies, private corporations and other organizations.

The documents created by the SMR, and their related records, are mostly including in the Records of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In these archival documents one finds that the first SMR branch office was established in Mukden Castle, May 1909 and supervised by Chief Yasunosuke Sato, a serviceman on active duty. This office in Mukden was responsible for negotiation with Chinese authorities on the purchase of land for a Changchun railway station and its railway zone as well as the Mukden-Andong railway after its establishment. The chief of the office, Sato, had directly negotiated with Chinese authorities about the purchase of land for building the railway (Reference Code : B04010949800) [Image 1]. In addition, the office in Mukden gathered intelligence about the Xinhai Revolution in 1911 (* note 1).

Although there is more academic research required to say for sure whether the intelligence gathered by the SMR branch offices altered Japan's diplomatic choices and foreign policies, the documents show the diversity of Japan's activities in Manchuria.

[note 1] Imura Tetsuo, "Xinhai Revolution and the Intelligence Activities of Mukden Office of SMR.Co. "(East Asia: History and Culture , No.15, March 2006). [↑]
[note 2] Imura Tetsuo, "The intelligence Activity on Manchuria Railway Co." (The East Asian Rim Research Center Annual Report , No.4, March 2009). [↑]
[note 3] The South Manchurian Railway Company, 10 Years History of the South Manchurian Railway Company , 1919. General Affairs Department Research Section of the South Manchurian Railway Company, 20 Year History of the South Manchurian Railway Company , 1928. [↑]

My Experience Related to Researching JACAR's Documents

I discovered the Japan Center for Asian Historical Records digital archives in 2007, thanks to archivists of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Not long after accessing the JACAR site, I was very glad to notice how valuable its archives are for me as well as for other researchers.

I also found how the website is of great convenience for researching records of interest from my own country without even having to travel to Japan—saving much time, physical effort and money.

To the great benefit of researchers, JACAR brought together the documents belonging to the main archives of Japan, respectively National Archives, Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Archives of the Ministry of Defence. Thus you don't need to separately research the materials at each of these archives. Fortunately, JACAR opened to the public not only the records related to the relations between Japan and the Asian countries but also those connected to other world states. Because of this variety of documents from all over the globe, the name "Japan Center for Asian Historical Records" might well be changed to "Japan Center for Historical Records."

It is desirable that JACAR continues to opened to the public all the records from the above-mentioned archives created before 1945 as well as those subsequently published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is in the interest of researchers that JACAR asks for the declassification of more documents created after 1945—as much as the legal framework allows.

As a diplomat involved for many years in promoting the relations between Romania and Japan, I am intersted in researching the history of our contacts and exchanges from their beginning to the present, based on the records of both countries.

From the very start, I found that in order to research JACAR's documents one must have a thorough command of the Japanese language. Even though I studied Japanese in Osaka and Chinese at Beijing University, it took me a lot of time to read and understand the handwritten records, particularly those from the Meiji and Taisho Eras. It was very difficult to decipher the "kanji" as well as the phrases and terms used in the diplomatic language. In order to facilitate my reading of the texts, I made a glossary of terms. In my opinion, it is advisible that JACAR presents the main ideas of each document in English and also posts on its site a guide for the phrases and terms specific to old Japanese used in the official records.

To understand the spelling of the names of Japanese people—family names as well as first names—or those of different geographic places in the documents was a big challenge, too, even though I used all kinds of dictionaries.

Regarding methods to search the records, I used "keyword search," "alphabetic search," and "reference code search". I think the best way to search was the last one, provided that you know your necessary code.

JACAR offers the possibility to study a large amount of documents related, also, to many countries that researchers might happen to enocunter in documents and then make valuable connections between them. Thus you get important information with which you can make connections and comparisons. As for me, I was able to compare the contacts and exchanges between Japan and Romania with those of Japan and the other countries from Central and East Europe as well as the Balcan Area.

Permanent and provisional exibitions of records and images organised by JACAR on major topics of Japanese history are of great importance as references for researchers. It is desirable that these sorts of effors are extended to another themes, countries and geographical areas.

[Reports]

-JACAR Introductions in Korea at Seoul National University and Kookmin University (June 10-11, 2014)

In June 2014 we partook in two events in Korea, first at Seoul National University and then at Kookmin University. JACAR researcher Muneaki Hirano spoke about JACAR and Director-General Sumio Hatano gave a lecture. Hosted by Seoul National University's Institute for Japanese Studies, more than thirty people including professors, graduate students and undergraduate students attended our event in SHINYANG Hall II. Then at Kookmin University's Institute of Japanese Studies, we held a seminar to which sixteen persons participated, including professors, graduate students and students.

In the introduction to JACAR, a PowerPoint presentation on JACAR's establishment process was given along with an explanation of searching and browsing documents on JACAR's website. Hirano showed many documents, including the "Korea-Governor's General Office Publications" from the National Archives of Japan report of historical remains in Gyeongju as well as the Korean Personal Names Dictionary; there were also "Records of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs" from the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which includes correspondence between the director of Tsushima (Tsushimanokami) and the Korean Court in 1867 with many diplomatic records concerning the Ganghwa Island incident in 1875, the Imo Incident in 1882, the Gapsin Coup in 1884, and events dating until the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War of 1884-1885; moreover, there were National Institute of Defense Studies of the Ministry of Defense Army Records (Rid of Dainikki) such as "Korean Route Directions" and the "Korean Land Map (1/50000)" (both edited by the Japanese Army in Korea and later the Seventeenth Area Army).

JACAR carried out a survey and about half of the participants at Seoul University and a quarter of the participants in Kookmin University had known of JACAR previously and some of them had used the archive in their research. At both universities, participants asked whether we are planning to publish documents of the postwar period. Other questions were about the situation of documents concerning the Ministry of Colonial Affairs and the law in Korea under Japanese rule. Many participants seemed to show a strong interest in JACAR and hold expectations for future document publications, since many of the Japanese historical documents are connected deeply to Korean history.

-The 2014 AAS in Asia in Singapore (July 17-19, 2014

The North American-based Association for Asian Studies (AAS) has starting a new conference series titled AAS in Asia to promote intellectual exchange within the region. The first AAS in Asia conference was held this year in Singapore and the next ones will be put on in Taiwan (2015) and Kyoto (2016).

While many participants had already known about JACAR, a few Asian studies scholars and graduate students were not familiar with JACAR. So our activities at the AAS in Asia conference were beneficial, since we were able to introduce our resources to people who could use them in their research and we could also receive helpful feedback on JACAR.

[Publicity Work]

-Overseas

-Domestic

[Visitors]

The Condition of Japan Related Materials in Singapore

This past July two JACAR staff Matsuo and Ono visited four organizations in Singapore that hold Japan related materials. The JACAR team conducted interviews about the archival digitization of the materials and investigated their conditions. Such matters regarding the Singaporean materials and organizations are outlined below.

- National University of Singapore Chinese Library（→Website）

Japan related materials held in the National University of Singapore Chinese Library had originally been managed by the Central Library. The Japanese materials were moved in 2003 to the Chinese Library along with Japan related materials.

The Chinese Library collects Japanese materials pertaining to Southeast Asia. There are materials, for instance, issued before Japan's surrender in World War Two. Such materials include the Outline of Singapore (新嘉坡概要) edited in 1923 by the Singapore Japanese Society (新嘉坡日本人会); Gazette of Singapore Japanese Society (新嘉坡日本人会会報) vol. 21 edited in 1936 by the Singapore Japanese Society; and Along the Equator: Guide of Singapore (赤道を往く：新嘉坡案内) edited in 1939 by the Singapore Japanese Club (新嘉坡日本人倶楽部).

The National University of Singapore also has a collection of the English newspaper Syonan Times (renamed Syonan Shimbun ), which was printed from February 1942 to September 1945. The Syonan Times and its later incarnation were edited under Japanese control and published with confiscated machines in the occupied office of The Straits Times .

In any case, many of the materials mentioned above are available for browsing in full text and they all have digital catalogue data.

The National University of Singapore libraries actively promote digitization and they currently are prioritizing the digitization of materials related to Southeast Asia and the Chinese diaspora dated from before the end of World War Two.

Many of the digitized Chinese and Japanese materials are available for browsing online with the links below. You can read the above mentioned Outline of Singapore (新嘉坡概要), Gazette of Singapore Japanese Society (新嘉坡日本人会会報) vol. 21 and Along the Equator: Guide of Singapore (赤道を往く：新嘉坡案内). However, the newspaper Syonan Times (or Syonan Shimbun) has not been digitized.

→National University of Singapore Chinese Library Website : Japanese digitized materials

→National University of Singapore Chinese Library Website : Chinese digitized materials

- Nanyang Technological University Chinese Heritage Center Wang Gungwu Library（→Website）

The Chinese Heritage Center's Wang Gungwu Library holds materials related to research on China overseas. The center is housed in the historic Administration Building of the former Nanyang University, which itself is a relic of the landmark establishment of the first and only Chinese-medium university founded by overseas Chinese. It was registered as a National Monument on 18 December 1999.

The Wang Gungwu Library holdings are comprised mainly of donated books and periodicals, consisting of items from current chairman of the East Asian Institute and National University of Singapore University Professor Wang Gungwu (王賡武), items donated by the well-known researcher Cui Guiqiang (崔貴強), and materials from Nanyang Girls' School （新加坡南洋女中）as well as the Chinese High School（新加坡华侨中学）.

Materials of the Wang Gungwu Library use the U.S. Library of Congress classification system, so all the items are arranged on shelves by subject. In addition to some Japanese language books, there is a special division of items called the "Early Textbook Collection" (早期课本特藏). The collection contains more than 1200 textbooks and related materials for study and teaching that were used in Mainland China and Chinese schools in Southeast Asia during the twentieth century. The Early Textbook Collection includes many works, such as the Japanese textbook Nihongo Dokuhon (日本語読本), which was written by Uchibori Masafumi (内堀雅文) in September 1943 under the Japanese occupation.

As for newspapers, the library has received a few boxes of donated Chinese papers from all over the world, particularly those from after 1980. There are also older newspapers, notably Zhongyang Ribao (中央日報) from 1947. Periodical holdings include the Nanyo Nenkan (南洋年鑑) edited in 1939 and 1951, Nanyang Xuebao (南洋学報) issued from 1940 to 1998, Nanyang Yuebao (南洋月報) edited in 1950, Nanyang Yanjiu (南洋研究) edited in 1959, and Nanyang Wenzhai (南洋文摘) issued from 1960 to 1974. All of these periodicals were published in Singapore.

As for digitization, there are no plans currently to digitalize the above materials.

- National Archives of Singapore（→Website）

The National Archives of Singapore does not have many documents created by the Japanese Army or its government under the Japanese occupation. The reason for this is due to removal by Commander Yamashita Tomoyuki and incineration by the Japanese Army upon its defeat. As part of its effort to fill certain gaps in its collection, the National Archives of Singapore has collected oral history records and other records from various sources. There are records from some 4,000 individuals, including almost 400 oral histories related to the Japanese occupation. The persons interviewed included Chinese, Malays, Indians, Japanese, Australians and the British.

The National Archives of Singapore also has photographs that include images of Japanese society, the occupied Malay Peninsula and Singapore. There are, additionally, donated materials from personal collections as well as military currency or "banana money", which had been issued by the Japanese Army.

The National Archives of Singapore also acquires and preserves public records that have been appraised to have national and historical significance. Under the National Library Board Act, government agencies are required to transfer such records of value to the Archives for long-term preservation. The decision of which records are to be preserved or destroyed is conducted jointly between the Archives and the respective government agency.

The National Archives of Singapore has been making its oral histories openly accessible for listening online in digital form since March 2014. The oral history recordings, which were originally recorded in analog format, have been digitized into durable preservation formats as well as mp3 format for online access. The oral history recordings are searchable with the link below. It is possible to find individuals who, for instance, experienced the Japanese occupation by searching here with the keywords "Japanese Occupation" :

→National Archives of Singapore Website : Oral History Interviews

As for digitized photos, the National Archives of Singapore's collection includes their own acquisitions as well as images, for example, of the Indian National Army from the British National Archives and from the National Archives of India. There are also photos related to World War Two from the Australian War Memorial, the Japanese Association of Singapore and other places. On the National Archives of Singapore's website, it is possible to perform advanced searches, designating the above institutions as the "source". And it is possible to also find other images, for example, of the Japanese occupation with this link:

→National Archives of Singapore Website : Photographs

The National Archives of Singapore is digitizing the above mentioned donated materials from personal collections and plan to finish the project this year. However, some materials mentioned will not be released openly online due to privacy issues and copyright restrictions.

- National Library of Singapore（→Website）

National Library of Singapore holds Japan related materials, many of which were created under the Japanese occupation. There are also a few items dating prior to World War Two and many from after its conclusion. Such materials can be found on the seventh to the thirteenth floors of the library, which is called the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library. The space commemorates Lee Kong Chian (1893-1967) who was a great supporter of the library and whose Foundation continues to regularly support the National Library of Singapore with donations and sponsorships.

As for other language materials created under Japanese occupation, there is the English newspaper Syonan Times (renamed Syonan Shimbun ), which was printed from February 1942 to September 1945. They also have the English newspaper The Young India , which was printed from July 1943 to December of the same year. And there are English books also published under the Japanese occupation, including The Good Citizen's Guide, Handbook of Declarations, Orders, Rules and Regulations etc. , which was edited by the Japanese Military Government Inspectorate and the Syonan Special Municipality (軍政監部・昭南特別市), and published by Syonan Newspaper Company (昭南新聞社) in 1943.

Concerning Chinese materials, the National Library of Singapore holds the Chinese newspaper Zhaonan Ribao (昭南日報), which was printed from February 1942 to May 1944 during the Japanese occupation to replace Xingzhou Ribao (星洲日報). There also are Chinese periodicals such as Zhaonan Huabao (昭南画報), which was edited by Chen Rihui (陳日輝) in 1942. Moreover, there is the Chinese book Zhaonan-dao Xinsheng Yinianjian (昭南島新生一年間), which was issued by the Zhaonan Ribao Publication Company (昭南日報出版社) in 1943.

There are a wealth of public documents in the National Library of Singapore, notably Japanese occupation era (1942-1945) documents collected by Koh Seow Chuan and generously donated to the National Library. These documents include property title deeds, receipts memos and reports. Public documents are available such as maps like the 1944 Map of Johor and Singapore .

The National Library of Singapore currently is digitizing many of their holdings. They have already finished a part of the above mentioned materials: Map of Johor and Singapore , Zhaonan-dao Xinsheng Yinianjian , Documents from Japanese Occupation of Singapore, 1942-1945 , and The Good Citizen's Guide, Handbook of Declarations, Orders, Rules and Regulations etc. These materials cannot often be released on the internet because of copyright laws. The Syonan Times has already been digitized, but it cannot be released as it is no longer possible to contact the publisher.

In Singapore the release of digitized data on the internet requires permission from publishers or for an item to be considered public domain, the latter which requires seventy years to have elapsed since the author's death. Although the materials mentioned above have not yet met these requirements for online release, it is possible to browse them from within the library's local network.