Dear Friends of JCC,

Konnichiwa!

In a blink of an eye, the last month of 2024 has arrived. This also means that the JCC 15th Anniversary celebrations are coming to an end. I hope that everyone enjoyed the wide range of events that we had to offer this year, including the JCC 15th Anniversary Talk Series that covered a variety of topics...(Click here to read more)

Opening Ceremony of Dyeing the Nature of Yaeyama Islands with Yuzen Zome

The Opening Ceremony of Dyeing the Nature of Yaeyama Islands with Yuzen Zome, an exhibition introducing the rich natural blessings of the Yaeyama Islands in Okinawa, was held at JCC on Wednesday, 20 November 2024. JCC Director Ms Kawabe Akiko firstly delivered an opening speech to welcome all the guests, followed by a speech by Mr Eric Van Rijn from the Nei Museum of Art...(Click here to read more)

Dyeing Experience Workshop

A total of 4 Dyeing Experience Workshop sessions were held at JCC (Japan Creative Centre) on 21 and 22 November 2024 in conjunction with the exhibition, Dyeing the Nature of Yaeyama Islands with Yuzen Zome by Nei Museum of Art. The participants included students from Raffles Design Institute, as well as members of our Friends of JCC. Each of them received a silk scarf and had the rare hands-on opportunity to experience the...(Click here to read more)

JET Homecoming Gala

Welcome back the JET 2024 returnees! On 28 November 2024, the JET Homecoming Gala was held at JCC to welcome the 2024 returnees from the JET Programme. Aside from JET returnees and fellow members of JET Alumni Association (JETAA) Singapore, the event was also attended by representatives of different Japanese companies and organisations. During the reception, JET returnees and alumni had the...(Click here to read more)

Presentations at the PSC & Public Sector Scholarships Fair and SMU

Did you know that our First Secretary Mr Aihara has been active recently in briefing those who wish to go to Japan? Indeed, he is often a star in giving presentations and sharing thoughts about studying and staying in Japan! At the PSC & Public Sector Scholarships Fair in October, Mr Aihara gave a comprehensive presentation on studying opportunities in Japan and on the scholarship from MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science...(Click here to read more)

Visit by Toho High School

On 8 November 2024, JCC welcomed students from Toho High School who visited Singapore as part of their study tour. They were given a briefing about Singapore, the local food and culture, as well as the various activities of JCC which promote bilateral friendship. The briefing was followed by a Q&A which saw many of the curious students asking their most burning questions about Singapore – from housing policies to education...(Click here to read more)

The Unbroken Legacy of the Ryukyu Kingdom

Until the late 19th century, Okinawa Prefecture was called the Ryukyu Kingdom and was an independent country. The islands that were part of this kingdom are located close to the Eurasian continent and the islands of Southeast Asia. Ryukyu developed a unique culture through trade and exchange with these areas, the legacy of which can be found in the Okinawan lifestyle today, in its food, song, and dance. The Ryukyu Kingdom had a...(Click here to read more)

Goya Chanpuru

"Chanpuru" is a popular dish from Okinawa that consists of stir-fried veggies and Okinawan tofu. Among the different types of "Chanpurus", "Goya Chanpuru" is the most popular one, both in Okinawa and throughout Japan. By stir-frying bitter melon with Okinawan tofu and eggs, the bitterness is reduced, making it easy to eat and enjoy. Tofu is a crucial ingredient for "Chanpuru", and the firmness of Okinawan tofu makes it perfect for...(Click here to read more)

Namahage (The Monsters of Oga Peninsula)

Farming families on the Oga Peninsula in Akita Prefecture are visited on New Year's Eve and early New Year's Day by ferocious demons named namahage that strike terror into the hearts of young children.

Namahage are imaginary creatures, and the visitors are actually village residents donning blue and red masks and wearing coats made from straw. The namahage with red masks are male demons, while the blue masks denote female demons. The male demons hold aloft sacred staffs with strips of...(Click here to read more)