Konnichiwa!

The season of spring arrived a bit earlier in Tokyo this year, with cherry blossoms blooming already in mid-March. It was a beautiful coincidence that the launch of Sakura floral display at Gardens by the Bay also took place almost on the same day. Just like many Singaporeans, I thoroughly enjoyed the gorgeous cherry blossoms without having to leave Singapore at all. JCC was also delighted to present a range of Japanese cultural programmes, such as performances featuring koto, folk dance, taiko and other traditional Japanese instruments. We even held our...(Click here to read more)

Opening Ceremony & Demonstration of Environmental Ikebana ~ An Exhibition by Singapore Sogetsu Association ~

The opening ceremony and demonstration of Environmental Ikebana: An Exhibition by Singapore Sogetsu Association was successfully held at JCC on Saturday, 4 March 2023. Mdm. Yuko Ishikawa, the wife of H.E Ambassador Hiroshi Ishikawa, graced the ceremony and officially opened the exhibition. The JCC Director Mr. Toru Furugori and Singapore Sogetsu Association President...(Click here to read more)

Japanese Arts & Crafts: Tradition & Innovation ~ Factorism ~

An exclusive 1 day event, Japanese Arts & Crafts: Tradition & Innovation ~ Factorism ~, was held at JCC (Japan Creative Centre) on 17 March 2023 in collaboration with Arts & Crafts Studio (SG) Pte. Ltd. Mr Toru Furugori, JCC Director, Ms Junko Gennami, Director of Arts & Crafts Studio, and Mr Shinichi Yamada, President of Pride Tsubamesanjo Project, were present to welcome guests at the opening reception. In addition, Mr Hideyo Hanazumi...(Click here to read more)

Launch of Sakura 2023

H.E. Ambassador Hiroshi Ishikawa and Mrs Yuko Ishikawa attended the launch of Sakura 2023 at Gardens by the Bay (GBTB) on 15 March. The Guest-of-Honour, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies, Mr Heng Swee Keat, and CEO of National Heritage Board, Ms Chang Hwee Nee, joined the ceremony as well, which was hosted by CEO of GBTB, Mr Felix Loh. Guests had the opportunity to enjoy an adorable...(Click here to read more)

Japanese Cultural Programmes at Sakura 2023

In partnership with Gardens by the Bay, a series of Japanese Cultural Programmes was held at Sakura 2023 on Sunday, 19 March 2023. With an overwhelming number of visitors immersing in the atmosphere of the spring season here in Singapore, visitors had the opportunity to enjoy various performances, including koto, folk dance, taiko and other traditional Japanese instruments, put up by the Japanese Association, Singapore and Hibikiya at the Flower...(Click here to read more)

Visit by students from Kwansei Gakuin University, Kinki University and Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, NUS and NTU

In the months of February & March, students from Kwansei Gakuin University, Kinki University and Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology as well as National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore visited JCC (Japan Creative Centre). They had a meaningful time learning more about Singapore from Ms. Mai Hanawa...(Click here to read more)

Ambassador's visit to Environmental Ikebana ~ An Exhibition by Singapore Sogetsu Association ~

H.E. Ambassador Hiroshi Ishikawa visited the Environmental Ikebana: An Exhibition by Singapore Sogetsu Association at JCC (Japan Creative Centre) on 9 March 2023. Ms. Pandora Ip, President of Singapore Sogetsu Association, Mr. Bernard Tay, Vice President of Singapore Sogetsu Association, as well as a few of the exhibitors welcomed the Ambassador, where he had...(Click here to read more)

Visit by students from universities in Okinawa Prefecture

On 15 March 2023, students from Universities in Okinawa Prefecture visited Japan Creative Centre (JCC). The session was conducted by Mr. Tomoharu Uchiyama, 2nd secretary at the Embassy of Japan, Mr. Kyota Inoue, 2nd secretary at JCC and Ms. Keiko Soeda, JCC Event Team Manager. The students engaged in a meaningful dialogue about Singapore where they discussed matters on transportation, health, education and many more...(Click here to read more)

Visit by students from Seitoku Primary School

On 23 March 2023, students from Seitoku Primary School visited JCC (Japan Creative Centre). The session was conducted by Ms. Mai Hanawa, 2nd secretary at the Embassy of Japan, Mr. Yuki Hamada, Deputy Director of JCC and Ms. Keiko Soeda, JCC Event Team Manager. The students were enthusiastic and asked many questions, learning a lot about Singapore...(Click here to read more)

Daruma: Gunma’s Good Luck Charm

Did you know Gunma prefectures has the largest production of daruma dolls in Japan? Before we explore why this is so, let us first take a look at the daruma’s features. These paper-mâché dolls have a distinct face, and you can actually see two auspicious animals if you examine closer. The eyebrows are drawn to resemble cranes, while the noses and moustaches are drawn to resemble turtles. As a Japanese saying goes, “the crane lives 1,000 years...(Click here to read more)

A Sushi Story

Without a doubt, sushi is the representative dish of Japanese food. A slice of raw fish draped over oval-shaped vinegared rice, also known as nigiri-zushi, would be what comes to most people’s minds. The way it is made is suggested by the name, with nigiri meaning “press in the hand” and zushi referring to “sushi”. However, this popular form of sushi was only created around 1830 in the Edo period, as the fast food of its time. In fact, the history of sushi...(Click here to read more)

In this edition of Kizuna Story, JCC speaks to Ms Kaho Hayashi, a student at Osaka Prefecture University studying Economic Data Science, who participated in the JENESYS 2022 programme. Learn more about her experience on the JENESYS (Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths) programme, and her advice to people who are interested...(Click here to read more)

Club Activities

One of the fun things about going to middle school is joining and participating in a club. Clubs generally revolve around a sport or cultural activity; their activities are largely organized by the students themselves.

There are clubs for such sports as baseball, basketball, soccer, swimming, tennis, table tennis, badminton, and volleyball. Clubs for cultural activities include those for the visual arts, flower arrangement, tea ceremony, brass band, and drama...(Click here to read more)