Dear Friends of JCC,

Konnichiwa!

In a blink of an eye, it has been one year since I first arrived at JCC. During my time here, I was blessed with many opportunities to meet Singaporeans from different walks of life, and I’m delighted to know that so many people love Japanese culture and travelling to Japan. I felt the same blessing during the Ishikawa Prefecture promotional event. I was touched by the audience’s interest about the recovery efforts of people affected by the 2024 Noto..(Click here to read more)

A Golden Gateway ~ Rediscovering Ishikawa Prefecture ~

On 1 July, JCC held an Ishikawa Prefecture promotional event featuring the various charms of the prefecture, including delicious sake. JCC was honoured to have the attendance of Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, who joined the full house to get to know more about Ishikawa Prefecture. 1 July marked exactly half a year since the devastating earthquake...(Click here to read more)

NIHON BUYO 日本舞踊 ~ Lecture, Demonstration & Traditional Japanese Dance Performance~

On 6 July 2024, JCC hosted a Nihonbuyo (Japanese classical dance) performance by the Reitoku Kai Nihonbuyo dance group. The Grand Master of Reitoku Kai, Mr Naya Reitoku, gave a short presentation on the origins of Nihonbuyo and how it evolved over the eras. He also explained about the two different types of Nihonbuyo which are Odori - demonstrative and danced to a...(Click here to read more)

Japanese Speech Contest 2024

5 finalists from the Secondary School, Junior College and Open categories participated in the Japanese Speech Contest 2024 which took place at the Japanese Association Singapore on Sunday 14 July 2024. The event was graced by H.E. Mr Hiroshi Ishikawa, Ambassador of Japan to Singapore and Guest of Honour Mr Goh Wei Boon, Chief Executive of GovTech. They were...(Click here to read more)

JET Orientation & Farewell Reception 2024

The Orientation & Farewell Reception for the 2024 JET Programme participants from Singapore was held on 18 July 2024 at Japan Creative Centre. The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme began in 1987 to promote grassroots exchanges between Japan and other countries, and it is one of the world’s largest international people-to-people exchange programmes...(Click here to read more)

Study in Japan ~In Collaboration with Spring Magazine~ Online Sharing Session

JCC organised the first instalment of the ‘Study in Japan’ seminar online in collaboration with Spring Magazine on 20 July 2024. Presenting at the webinar was Ritsumeikan University, where they gave an overview of the programmes taught in English, as well as campus support and funding...(Click here to read more)

Presentation by Japanese staff from fashion and food stores

About 30 staff from fashion and food stores in Japan presented about a wide variety of Japanese charms such as four seasons, colours of their merchandises that sell in each season, as well as the spirit of omotenashi in an event on 24 July at JCC. Singaporean influencers, some of whom are cosplayers, listened to the presentations by the staff, who work at Lumine outlets in...(Click here to read more)

JCC Director's Visit to 40th Anniversary of Ohara School of Ikebana Singapore Chapter

Happy 40th Anniversary to Ohara School of Ikebana Singapore Chapter! JCC Director Akiko Kawabe joined the celebrations at the Japanese Association on 5 July. Together with the Chapter’s representative Ms Daisy Koh, the members as well as other guests, Director Kawabe enjoyed the Ikebana demonstration by Ms Rekha Reddy, sub-grandmaster from...(Click here to read more)

JCC Director's Visit to the Opening of 'Play: Date Unlocking Cabinets of Play'

Oh, so nostalgic! JCC Director Akiko Kawabe had the pleasure of joining the Opening event of the Play:Date - Unlocking Cabinets of Play at the National Museum of Singapore on 5 July. The exhibition features an eclectic array of over 250 locally and globally recognisable toys largely from the 1980s to present day, including popular Japanese toys, such as Hello Kitty, Tamiya...(Click here to read more)

JCC Director's Visit to Singapore Sogetsu Association's Tanabata event

Tanabata celebration with Ikebana! JCC Director Akiko Kawabe attended the Tanabata (七夕) event, organised by Singapore Sogetsu Association last week. Many arrangements prepared by the members depicted the tale of Orihime（織姫） and Hikoboshi（彦星）, two lovers who could meet each other across the Milky Way only once a year on 7 July. Ikebana demonstrations...(Click here to read more)

JCC Staff's Visit to ‘Fukusa: Japanese Gift Covers from the Chris Hall Collection’

‘Fukusa: Japanese Gift Covers from the Chris Hall Collection’ continues to attracting visitors at the Peranakan Museum, where guided tours for this special exhibition are available in Japanese, Mandarin and English. Fukusa (袱紗) on display in this exhibition are pieces of lined fabric used for covering gifts in Edo and Meiji eras - one of the many tangible manifestations of ...(Click here to read more)

JCC Director's Visit to ‘The ACM Conversations on Fukusa and the Culture of Spectacle in Premodern Japan’

The ACM Conversations on Fukusa and the Culture of Spectacle in Premodern Japan that took place on 25 July shed light on the more obscure aspect of Japanese gifting culture, that often emphasised form over function with the intention to invite a sense of spectacle and extravagance. Independent researcher Ms Christine Guth delved into the culture of using Fukusa...(Click here to read more)

JCC Director's Visit to ‘Brahms with Hans Graf and Sayaka Shoji’ Concert

Violinist Sayaka Shoji is in town to perform with Singapore Symphony Orchestra! JCC Director Akiko Kawabe had the honour of meeting Ms Shoji and thoroughly enjoyed their concert, conducted by SSO Music Director Hans Graf, at Victoria Concert Hall last night (1 August). The hall was filled with excitement for...(Click here to read more)

JCC Director's Visit to Singapore Garden Festival 2024

Congratulations to Mr Kazuyuki Ishihara on your gold medal! In the Singapore Garden Festival 2024 Awards Night on 2 August, Mr Ishihara from Japan was among the notable garden designers who received trophies from President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, guest of honour of the evening. JCC Director Akiko Kawabe congratulated him and visited his garden, displayed at Suntec Convention Centre under the Festival’s Best of Show Designer...(Click here to read more)

Cycling Over Japan’s Sea Straits

One of the most memorable ways to travel within Japan is to cycle via Shimanami Kaido. Approximately 70 kilometres long, this cycling route is between Onomichi city of Hiroshima Prefecture and Imabari city of Ehime Prefecture, and passes through six islands in the Seto Inland Sea. As the first cycling route to open in Japan that passes over sea straits, Shimanami Kaido has grown to become a popular attraction for cyclists all over the world...(Click here to read more)

Kintsugi: Touching Up With Gold

Among the traditional Japanese techniques, you may have heard of “kintsugi” before. This ancient technique has long been a method to repair chipped or broken ceramic using natural lacquer to stick the parts back and dusted or mixed with gold powder. In doing so, the broken pottery which has transformed into something beautiful can continued to be used, rather than be discarded, and thus this contributes to a more...(Click here to read more)

Bon Holidays

The Bon Festival is held to pray for the repose of the souls of one's ancestors. It's one of the biggest traditional events during the year, along with New Year's. It's sometimes called o-bon or urabon. In the past, it was held in the middle of the seventh month on Japan's traditional calendar.

Some regions therefore celebrate it in mid-July, although the old date is closer to mid-August...(Click here to read more)