Konnichiwa!

It was a delight to greet a lively crowd in JCC during the opening ceremony of ‘To the Forest of Verbs with “MUJI IS”’. Despite having given speeches before, it was a first for me to address the audience in person, as I had arrived in Singapore in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. It is indeed a welcome change to be able to see everyone’s faces and feel the vibrant and cheery atmosphere, instead of focusing on the camera lens.

Of course, there are still a great deal...(Click here to read more)

Opening Ceremony of ‘To the Forest of Verbs with “MUJI IS”’

The opening ceremony of MUJI Exhibition, entitled ‘To the Forest of Verbs with “MUJI IS”’, was held at Japan Creative Centre (JCC) on Wednesday, 15 June 2022. Mr Katsushi Onishi, Managing Director of MUJI Singapore and Malaysia, and Mr Toru Furugori, Director of Japan Creative Centre, gave their welcome speeches to over 40 guests. Mr Onishi presented the “MUJI IS” book as a token of appreciation to Mr Furugori for the close and...(Click here to read more)

MUJI IS, DESIGN IS

An online talk “MUJI IS, DESIGN IS” was successfully held on 16 June 2022, in conjunction with the ongoing exhibition ‘To the Forest of Verbs with “MUJI IS”’ at Japan Creative Centre (JCC). Co-organised by JCC and MUJI, and curated by BLACK, the online talk began with a presentation by Ms Kazuko Koike (Creative Director and Member of MUJI Advisory Board), who helped prepare the “MUJI IS” book archive that was published in honour...(Click here to read more)

Tea Founders Lu Yu and Rikyu: Coolness in Summer

On 26 June, Ambassador Jun Yamazaki and Mrs. Junko Yamazaki attended the Charity Tea Gathering 2022, “Tea Founders Lu Yu and Rikyu: Coolness in Summer,” organised by the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Singapore Association, in collaboration with Liu Xiang Tea Craft. The charity tea gathering was in commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the birth of Japanese tea master Sen-no-rikyu （千利休）. This event was supported by...(Click here to read more)

Ambassador's Visit to ‘To the Forest of Verbs with “MUJI IS”’

On 23 June, H.E. Ambassador Jun Yamazaki visited the JCC (Japan Creative Centre) to see the ongoing exhibition, “To The Forest of Verbs with ‘MUJI IS,’” co-organised with MUJI Singapore. Mr Katsushi Onishi, Managing Director of MUJI Singapore and Malaysia, gave an in-depth account of the MUJI products on display. Each product is linked to a verb representing the idea behind its creation, such as “subtract” and “simplify.”...(Click here to read more)

Exploring Sado Island

Lying off the coast of Niigata Prefecture, Sado Island is one of Japan’s largest islands. In the past, due to its remote location, many court nobles and intellectuals who fell out of favour were exiled to the island. One of the most famous forced resident was the Buddhist monk Nichiren, the founder of Nichiren Buddhism. With agriculture and fishing as the major sources of income, Sado Island is a place shaped by sea and mountains. Thanks to its...(Click here to read more)

Onigiri: Japan’s National Soul Food

One can say that onigiri (rice ball) is the soul food of Japan, with it being a staple of Japanese meals for a long time. It is portable, easy and quick to prepare, making it the ideal choice for a packed lunch when travelling out for a school excursion or a picnic. Aside from being a favourite menu in the home kitchen, onigiri is also a popular item in convenience stores, with shelves full of rice balls filled with different ingredients. There are even cafes...(Click here to read more)

Opening of Climbing Season on Mt. Fuji

July 1 is the day when Mt. Fuji, Japan's highest and most famous peak, formally opens for the climbing season. (The start of the mountain-climbing season is known in Japanese as yamabiraki, which literally means "mountain opening.") The shrines located near the base hold yamabiraki ceremonies on this day to pray for the safety of climbers.

Mt. Fuji, renowned throughout the world as a symbol of Japan, is situated near the center of Honshu, Japan's main island, and stretches 3,776 meters high (12,388 feet). It erupted frequently in the past, but volcanic activity has been dormant since 1707. It's cone-shaped, with wide foothills, and beautifully...(Click here to read more)