Dear Friends of JCC,

I am Toshihide Ando, new Director of the Japan Creative Centre. I came to Singapore in early October after completing my assignment at the Embassy of Japan in the United States, where I was responsible for promoting traditional as well as contemporary Japanese culture to Americans.

It is my pleasure to lead the team working to strengthen cultural ties between Japan and Singapore through activities at JCC. Since its opening back in November 2009, JCC has selected five priority areas: Art, Anime, Architecture, Design and Fashion, in which it has worked to provide a platform for networking and interactions between the Japanese and Singaporeans.

This year marks JCC’s 3rd Anniversary, with the two-month long Japan Month that started in October flourishing: we have already shown at JCC the Ikebana International Exhibition and the Sustainable Fashion Design Contest and Exhibition, where we have witnessed marvelous exhibits by both Japanese and Singaporean artists and their proactive interactions. In November you will have an opportunity to experience a traditional performance led by Japan’s acclaimed “Living National Treasure” and Japanese traditional music performance and demonstrations on the art of NOH, as well as fascinating talks on Manga. There will be more and more to come in December and especially through next year 2013, as we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Japan-ASEAN relationship .

As Director of JCC, it is my hope that JCC will develop into a forum of active, open and extensive interactions between Japanese and Singaporeans, where artists, performers and musicians of both countries, whether traditional or contemporary, gather and share their “creative” arts, performances and music and where all the audiences and participants can enjoy --- as the real CREATIVE CENTRE in Singapore and beyond.

I am very excited to work with you for this endeavor and hope that you will share the joy with us through the numerous events coming up at JCC. So join us and become part of our creative community!

1 November, 2012

Toshihide Ando
Director of the Japan Creative Centre
Deputy Chief of Mission and Minister-Counsellor
Embassy of Japan