“Not precisely work”

This chapter develops the issues raised in the previous one by examining a set of Japanese corporate activities that Allison terms "not-precisely-work". It explores the place of three important activities – dining, drinking and golf – in the lives of Japanese business expatriates in Singapore. Three forces have provided impetus for the development of Singapore's golf courses since the 1970s: the growth of an indigenous upper-middle class, the stationing of expatriate business communities on the island, and the development of golfing tourism. The popularity of golf in Japan itself owes as much to its pursuit by an aspiring middle class as to a whole industry of real estate developers, equipment manufacturers, public relations and media representatives, and transport and tourism agents. In effect, corporate memberships are the only means by which Japanese individuals secure regular entry into golf clubs. Corporate membership is provided both in Japan and in Singapore for individuals who are above a certain level in organizational hierarchy.