Happy New Year! 新年あけましておめでとうございます。

With the relaxation of regulations last year, JCC’s activities gradually gained momentum and went back on track. I first arrived in Singapore in the midst of the pandemic, so it is a welcome change to be able to see people enjoying our numerous different events now. That includes last month’s exhibition “Japan x Singapore Student Art Collaboration”. It was heartening to see many families drop by JCC to see the creative imaginations of their children. The year ended off on a meaningful note, and we are excited to continue showcasing Japan and Japanese culture in the new year too...(Click here to read more)

Opening Ceremony of Japan x Singapore Student Art Collaboration

On 1 December, H.E. Ambassador Hiroshi Ishikawa attended the opening of “Japan x Singapore Student Art Collaboration” at the JCC (Japan Creative Centre), together with Ms. Clara Lim Tan from Ministry of Education, Singapore and Ms. Fumiko Nakatani, Principal of The Japanese School Singapore Changi Campus. As a special guest, Ms. Masako Mori, Special Advisor to...(Click here to read more)

Ambassador's Visit to Gardens By The Bay

On 23 December 2022, H.E. Ambassador Ishikawa visited Gardens by the Bay (GBTB). Mr. Felix Loh, CEO of GBTB, and his staffs guided Ambassador through the icons of GBTB including the Supertree Observatory, the Flower Dome, and the Cloud Forest. Enchanted by the charms of GBTB, Ambassador also had the opportunity to try out an Avatar walkthrough, in which he explored the unique world of Pandora, its bioluminescent environment...(Click here to read more)

Ambassador's Visit to SPEKKOEK exhibition

On Saturday 24 December 2022, H.E. Ambassador Ishikawa attended the opening ceremony of "SPEKKOEK: A Group Exhibition About Pottery" at ION Art Gallery. Over 100 pottery works by Singapore Cultural Medallion Dr Iskandar Jalil, and his students Law Shu Na, Loi SH Adam and Wong CM Alicia, were featured at the exhibition. Dr N Varaprasad, Founding Principal/CEO of Temasek Polytechnic, Founder and Partner of Singapore Education...(Click here to read more)

A Shrine for the Pursuit of Learning

One of the most well-known places in Fukuoka Prefecture is probably Dazaifu Tenmangu. Located less than an hour from the heart of Fukuoka and with a history of over 1,100 years, it is one of the most important Tenmangu shrines in Japan dedicated to Michizane Sugawara. There are over 12,000 shrines across Japan dedicated to this historical figure, who was a scholar and politician of the Heian period. Nowadays, he is often...(Click here to read more)

The Luckiest Cat in the World

The sight of white cat ornament waving its hand is a common sight throughout Japan, especially at shop entrances. Known as maneki neko (beckoning cat), the paw being raised actually has different significances. A raised right paw beckons wealth, whereas a raised left paw beckons people or customers. Sometimes you may even see them with both paws raised, which signifies protection. It is said that the higher the paw is raised, the...(Click here to read more)

The Seven Herbs of Spring

On January 7 families throughout Japan prepare kayu cooked with seven different vegetables, or haru no nanakusa (the seven herbs of spring). Kayu is a porridge made by cooking rice with twice the usual amount of water.

This practice came to Japan from China, where there was a custom of eating freshly harvested herbs early in the new year, but it's also been around in Japan for a long time, since...(Click here to read more)