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September 2005 will be the sixtieth anniversary of the formal end of the Asia-Pacific War: the last major anniversary of the war likely to be graced by significant numbers of veterans. To mark the occasion, we will be bringing together academics from Asia, the United States, Australia and Europe, as well as Singapore educationalists. Singapore is a particularly appropriate place to hold such a conference. Its capture was a key Japanese war aim, its fall was marked by the sook ching (execution) of civilians, and the island became a major centre for holding allied prisoners of war. In addition, the occupation, and its postwar commemoration, now constitute key parts of Singapore's Social Studies, History and National Education programmes.

2005 will also see a whole host of commemorative events held in Singapore. For more details, see:

We therefore invite academics, heritage practitioners, educationalists, teachers, and other interested parties from around the world to join us at this conference. Participants may express interest in being participants, delivering papers, or organising panels, by contacting the initial organising committee members below.

: Click here for the full list of panels. The panel themes include:

War and Memory in Japan
Prisoner of War Camps and Internees
Museums and Heritage
Veterans and Memory
War Crimes

War Compensation
Death Railways
The Empires Return
Representations
Oral History

Further information pertaining to the above will be forthcoming later.

Confirmed speakers include:

Guest of Honour Professor Wang Gungwu, East Asia Institute, Singapore
Associate Professor Yoshikuni Igarashi, Vanderbilt University, USA
Professor Hayashi Hirofumi, Kanto-Gakuin University
Professor Abu Talib, Universiti Sains Malaysia
Professor Peter Dennis, Australian Defence Force Academy
Professor Nicholas Tarling, Fellow of New Zealand Asia Institute, University of Auckland
Professor Grant Goodman, Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Kansas
Professor T.R. Sareen, Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi, India
Professor Ricardo Jose, University of Philippines
Associate Professor Paul Kratoska, National University of Singapore
Professor Hank Nelson, Australian National University
Professor Jean Beaumont, Deakin University
Associate Professor Tran My-Van, University of South Australia
Dr Kaori Maekawa, Sophia University, Japan
Professor Julie Higashi, Ritsumeikan University, Japan
Professor Jean-Louis Margolin, University of Provence

All participants and presenters are required to pay the full registration fee for the conference. The registration fee will cover daily tea breaks for 2 days and conference materials.

Online Registration and credit card payment for Overseas Guests (Caution: for those without a paper, you must email the organisers to confirm places are available before paying, as subscription is nearly full (11 May 2005). Use the underlined link to register & pay. If credit card payment is a problem, please contact the organisers for alternative arrangements

Form for registration and cheque payment for Singapore Guests

Presenters:	S$150. (please use the above links for registration & payment)
Attendance without a paper:	S$200. (please use the above links for registration & payment)

Note that US$1 is equivalent to S$1.64 and UK£1 to S$3.089 as at 25 November 2004. For the latest exchange rates, you may visit this link: http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/.

Note: registration is not processed until payment has been received

Hotels: Details below are 2004 prices, for guidance only. Please do check whether service and taxes, and breakfast, are included in any prices you are quoted.

Robertson Quay Hotel
Superior Room S$120 net (single / double) or $80 for internet bookings
(breakfast included)
15 Merbau Road
Singapore 239032
Tel +65 6735 3333
Fax +65 6738 1515
http://www.robertsonquayhotel.com.sg/
Click here for the map of Robertson Quay Hotel

Good budget choice, five minutes walk from the conference venue along the Singapore River. Nearby is the River View Hotel, more expensive, but sometimes features good internet rates, as well as offering breakfast on its river terrace.

Hotel 1929
Standard Room S$100 (per room) upwards
50 Keong Saik Road
Singapore 089154
Tel +65 6299 6007
Fax +65 6298 1324
hotelenq@online.com.sg
http://www.asiahotelsguide.com/singapore/hotel1929/
Small rooms but stylish and popular, in a lively district next to Chinatown. From the Chinatown MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) it is one stop to the conference venue. Cheaper hotels in this area include The Inn, The Keong Saik Hotel, and Chinatown Hotel.

Copthorne King's Hotel
Deluxe Room S$155 net (single) S$140 net (twin)
Incl. 10% service charge, 1% cess, 4% GST
403 Havelock Road
Singapore 169632
Tel +65 6733 0011
Fax +65 6732 5764
http://www.copthornekings.com.sg
Within walking distance of the conference venue.

Furama

Rooms from S$145

E-mail: fhsg@furama.com
Address: 60 Eu Tong Sen Street,

Singapore 059804
http://sg.furama.com
Five minutes walk from SHM

Swissotel Merchant Court
$160 net with breakfast
20 Merchant Court Road
Singapore 058281
Tel: 65 6337 2288
Fax: 65 6334 0606
Email: emailus.merchantcourt@swissotel.com
http://www.swissotel.com/homepage.asp
Luxury hotel beside the Singapore River, right next to the conference venue

Hotel 81 Chinatown
Room S$80 (single) to $125 (family)
Incl. 10% service charge, 1% cess, 4% GST
181 New Bridge Road

Singapore 059418

Tel +65 6324 8181
Fax +65 6534 4145
http://www.hotel81.com.sg/hotels_chinatown.shtm

Next to Chinatown and its MRT, one stop from the conference venue. Fronts a busy road, so you might want to consider asking for a quieter room at the back.

Singapore is not just one island but a main island with 63 surrounding islets, located 1.5 degrees north of the Equator. The main island has a total land area of 682 square km. However, its compact size belies its economic growth. In just 150 years, Singapore has grown into a thriving centre of commerce and industry. It is the busiest port in the world, a major oil refining and distribution centre, a major supplier of electronic components and a leader in shipbuilding and repairing. It has also become one of the most important financial centres of Asia. Business dealings are facilitated by Singapore's superb communications network which links the Republic to the rest of the world via satellite, 24-hour telegraph and telephone systems. Singapore's strategic location, excellent facilities, fascinating cultural contrasts and tourist attractions contribute to its success as a leading destination for both business and pleasure.

For more information about Singapore, please visit this site: http://www.sg/