Experience Enchanting Mie

JCC Advisory Meeting

JCC Cinema 52: Pokémon The Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages

51st JCS Graduation Ceremony

US-Japan-Singapore 50th Anniversary Friendship Screening: KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

His Majesty, The Emperor's Birthday Reception 2016

Book Launch of The Merlion and Mt. Fuji: 50 Years of Singapore-Japan Relations

Plant-A-Tree Programme

SG-JP Music Mix 2016

A Beautiful Life Musical Fiesta

ONE ASIA Joint Concert 2016

Koto Workshop at National University of Singapore (NUS)

Daruma Fair

1. Geo-Cosmos Content Contest entries open by Miraikan

This contest is held as a part of the Miraikan’s TSUNAGARI project, a project aspiring towards multilateral understanding of the Earth, life and the future. Started in 2014, the contest aims to explore new possibilities and methods of expression for the project’s central exhibit, the spherical display Geo-Cosmos. Until the previous time, from all the entries, 5 works were selected and the best one was screened for one year on the Geo-Cosmos as a permanent content.
Application period: Dec 9 2016 - Feb 15 2017, 6pm JST

The winning work in the “Movie category” and the “Live Content category”, will be screened, for one year, on the Geo-Cosmos as permanent contents and will also be published on Miraikan's official website and will be introduced in other media as well. In the “Idea category", all works that pass the preliminary assessment will be displayed in Miraikan for one year in the form of an information panel. (Click to read more)

Congratulations to Dr Yoshinori Ohsumi on Receiving the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine by Mr Hirokazu Matsuno, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations to Professor Emeritus Yoshinori Ohsumi of the Tokyo Institute of Technology for receiving the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, and extend my highest regards for his achievements in research. The awarding of the Nobel Prize to Dr. Ohsumi this year was the...(Click to read more)

Statement by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology on the Naming of Element 113 as “Nihonium”

Element 113, which was discovered by RIKEN, has been officially named as “nihonium” with the symbol “Nh”, approved by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). I am very pleased that the name “nihonium,” which was proposed by the research group led by Dr. Kosuke Morita as an expression of their deep gratitude to the people of Japan for...(Click to read more)

KOUNOTORI6/H-IIB F6 Successfully Launched and berthed at ISS!

The H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 6 with cargo transporter to the International Space Station, the KOUNOTORI6 (HTV6) aboard lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center at 22:26:47 on December 9. (Japan Standard Time).

KOUNOTORI6 (HTV6) was captured with the robotic arm of the International Space Station (ISS) at 7:39 p.m...(Click to read more)

Success of Epsilon-2 Launch with ERG Aboard

JAXA successfully launched the second Epsilon Launch Vehicle with Exploration of energization and Radiation in Geospace (ERG) aboard at 8:00 p.m. on December 20, 2016 (JST) from the Uchinoura Space Center. The launch vehicle flew as planned...(Click to read more)

The signals were received in the Santiago Ground Station, the Republic of Chile at 8:37 p.m. (JST). ERG's solar array paddles have been deployed as planned. Also, ERG has completed the attitude control based on the sun acquisition. JAXA has...(Click to read more)

Welcome home Astronaut Onishi! Safe return to Earth

At 0:58 p.m. on October 30 (Sun., Japan Standard Time), Astronaut Onishi came back to the Earth safely on the Soyuz spacecraft (47S), which successfully landed in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Astronaut Takuya Onishi started his expedition mission at the International Space Station (ISS) from July 9, 2016, and engaged in various scientific experiments. He also manipulated the...(Click to read more)

First announcement for the third "Space Environment and Kibo Utilization Workshop (SEKUW)"

JAXA is pleased to inform you that the 3rd Space Environment and Kibo Utilization Workshop (SEKUW) will be held in Bangkok, Thailand on 9-10 February 2017. SEKUW is jointly organized by Geo-Informatics and the Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) under the Space Environment Utilization Working Group (SEUWG), Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF).

(Click to read more: Website | Tentative programme | Registration | Workshop information | Reference)

RIKEN celebrates its 100th birthday in 2017!

RIKEN has always been, and will continue to be, about serving society through innovative basic research in science and technology. Our first century is marked by many exciting milestones in scientific advancement, and we expect many more over the next century as we build strong ties of collaboration and friendship with partners around the world...(Click to read more)

RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (AIP)

The RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project has been launched since April 2016 with the subsidy for “Advanced Integrated Intelligence Platform Project (AIP) -Artificial Intelligence/ Big Data/ Internet of Things/ Cybersecurity-.” from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Our center aims to achieve scientific breakthrough and to contribute to the welfare of society and humanity through developing innovative...(Click to read more)

Work by RIKEN AICS researchers wins “Best Paper” award at SC16 supercomputing conference

A group of researchers from the RIKEN Advanced Institute for Computational Science (AICS) and the Tokyo Institute of Technology have been given the “Best Paper” award at the SC16 supercomputing conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. The paper, entitled, “Daino: A High-Level Framework for Parallel and Efficient AMR on GPUs,” by Naoya Maruyama and Mohamed Wahib Attia of AICS, along with Takayuki Aoki of Tokyo Institute of Technology, provides a framework for more efficient design of applications...(Click here to read more)

RIKEN Research　Winter 2016

Through RIKEN Research, our quarterly magazine and website, we present the best of research from RIKEN to the international community. Our research is shown in an accessible, easy-to-read format, providing regular insights into the people, facilities and programs that make up RIKEN. The core component of RIKEN Research are short, easy-to-understand Research Highlight articles explaining for a broad scientific audience some of the latest research articles published by RIKEN researchers...(Click to read more)

*For past issues of the print magazine please click here.

Breeding mutants~Tomoko Abe has bombarded thousands of plants with heavy ions to create unusual varieties~

“These tearless, non-pungent onions will not only wipe tears away from the kitchen and the food processing facilities, but also will add a new dimension to the enjoyment of onion recipes around the world.” This was the proud prediction of a team of Japanese researchers, including Tomoko Abe at the RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science, in April 2016, in a paper describing the use of heavy-ion beams to breed sweet-smelling onions. Japanese curry company House Foods Corporation has since...(Click here to read more)

A step toward unlocking the nitrogen reservoir in the sky
~A titanium-based multi-metal complex turns inert nitrogen gas in the air into a reactive species that can be used to synthesize organic compounds~

A complex containing four titanium atoms that can convert unreactive nitrogen gas (N2) into reactive species known as nitriles has been developed by RIKEN researchers. This may open the way to using atmospheric nitrogen for synthesizing useful nitrogen-containing organic compounds on industrial scales1. Comprising about 78 per cent of the air we breathe, nitrogen is one of the most abundant chemicals on Earth. But the high stability...(Click here to read more)

Comprehensive Gateway Linking Multiple Scientific and Technological Databases

Based on the concepts of linking, expanding and stimulating new ideas, J-GLOBAL links together various types of scientific and technological information—including research papers, patents, researchers and chemical substances—which have tended to be used separately. J-GLOBAL offers opportunities for unexpected discoveries and cross-disciplinary knowledge by providing a one-stop search service covering a broad array of science sources—both internal and external of JST—and links based on various correlations, such as co-authorship of papers and patents. (Click here to read more)

Japan’s Largest Electronic Journal Platform for Academic Societies

J-STAGE provides access to peer-reviewed articles from approximately 1,700 journals published by academic societies in Japan. It includes both current and archived articles, with some journals offering access to their entire catalog. Around 90% of journals provide abstracts in English, and approximately 80% of articles are available free of charge. Full-text search and forward- and backward-citation links via various databases are also available. (Click here to read more)

SAKURA Exchange Program in Science (SSP) by JST

Asia is undergoing a period of dramatic progress. Promoting science and technology is a key engine to materialize a bright future of Asia and it is vitally important to enhance the exchange of Japanese and Asian youths who will play a crucial role in the field of science and technology. Based on this concept, “Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science” (SAKURA Exchange Program in Science) is the program for enhancing exchanges between Asia and Japan of the youths who will play a crucial role in the future field of science and technology through the close collaboration of industry-academia-government by facilitating short-term visits of competent Asian youths to Japan. (Click here to read more: Website | High School Student Special Course Videos)

AMED Washington, D.C. Office

On 1st November 2016, AMED Washington, D.C. Office was established as 2nd Overseas Office in AMED. Address; 1140 Connecticut Avenue, Northwest, Suite 503, Washington, D.C...(Click here to read more)

Super Rugby 2017

Catch SUNWOLVES, the Japanese team that will be participating in the 2017 Super Rugby, in the following 3 games in Singapore at National Stadium next March and May! (Click here to read more)

(1) 1st Match in Singapore
Date: 18:55, 4th March 2017
Sunwolves vs Kings

(2) 2nd Match in Singapore
Date: 18:55, 25th March 2017
Sunwolves vs Stormers

(3) 3rd Match in Singapore
Date: 19:55, 20th May 2017
Sunwolves vs Sharks

HSBC World Rugby Sevens 2016/17 Series

Singapore will be hosting the 8th tournament of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series on 15 & 16 April 2017. A total of 16 international teams, including Japan, will participate in the 2016/17 Series, which kicked off in Dubai this month. (Click here to read more)

Guide book "Student Guide to Japan"

"Student Guide to Japan" is an essential book for international students planning to study in Japan.

(Click to read more: English | Mandarin)

Pamphlet on Scholarship for International Students in Japan 2016-2017

"Scholarships for International Students in Japan 2016-2017" contains details about scholarships provided by various organisations that have responded to a questionnaire survey carried out by JASSO. (Click here to read more)

Free student counselling at the Embassy of Japan

Our new Student Advisor Ms Regina provides free student counselling for people interested in studying in Japan. The counselling will be held at the Embassy of Japan, 16 Nassim Road, Singapore 258390. No appointment is necessary. Please call 62358855 if you have any queries. There will be no counselling sessions on Embassy holidays. (Click here to read more)

The 2017 MEXT Scholarships for Teacher Training and Japanese Studies

The 2017 MEXT Scholarships for Teacher Training and Japanese Studies is now opened for application. Apply through The Academy of Singapore Teachers, Ministry of Education, Singapore or Department of Japanese Studies, National University of Singapore by next February!

(1) 2017 Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship - Teacher Training Students
Application deadline: February 28, 2017 (Tuesday)
*Apply through Academy of Singapore Teachers, Ministry of Education, Singapore.

(2) 2017 Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship - Japanese Studies Students
Application deadline: February 28, 2017 (Tuesday)
*Apply through Department of Japanese Studies, National University of Singapore

Japan Alumni eNews Vol. 92 December 9th, 2016

Japan Student Service Organisation (JASSO) publishes Japan Alumni eNews every month. The contents are as follows:

1. Life in Japan by Photo
2. Alumni News
3. Academic News
4. Business News (Job Hunting)
5. Visit Japan
6. NIPPON Information
7. JASSO News
8. From the Editor

Statement by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology on the Results of PISA 2015

The results of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in2015, which assesses the extent to which 15-year-old students at the end of compulsory education can apply their knowledge and skills to real-life situation and is administered by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), were announced on 6th December 2016.

The results of PISA 2015 show that Japan remains one of top performing countries in all three domains: science, reading and mathematics and that Japanese students’ attitude towards science has improved. (Click here to read more)

Statement by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology on Nationwide Academic Achievement Survey

The results of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) survey conducted in 2015 by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) were announced on November 29, 2016.

The results of the TIMSS survey show that, in international comparisons, Japan is particularly strong in mathematics and science and that Japan continues to occupy a top position in international rankings, with elementary and junior high school students’ attitudes toward mathematics and science showing improvement. (Click here to read more)

Modality and Promotion Policies between Schools and Communities for Education in a New Era and towards Realizing Regional Revitalization (Report)

On December 21, 2015, the Central Council for Education compiled “Modality and Promotion Policies between Schools and Communities for Education in a New Era and towards Realizing Regional Revitalization (Report).” (Click here to read more)