Dear Friends of JCC,

Konnichiwa!

In early May, I was delighted that the film “Last Shadow at First Light,” which depicts both Singapore and Japan, started to be screened for the public here in Singapore. It is about a teenage girl who embarks on a journey from Singapore to Japan to search for her mother, who went missing a while after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. On the opening night of the screening...(Click here to read more)

Prelude to Japanese Film Festival Online 2024: Masterclass with Hideho Urata ~ A Masterclass by Cinematographer of Last Shadow at First Light ~

A masterclass by renowned Singapore-based Japanese cinematographer Mr Hideho Urata was held at Japan Creative Centre (JCC) on Saturday, 11 May 2024 as a prelude to the Japanese Film Festival Online 2024. Co-organised with the Singapore Film Society, the audience had the opportunity to learn about the principles of cinematography from Mr Urata and...(Click here to read more)

Opening Ceremony of "Planting A Rainbow"

Ambassador Hiroshi Ishikawa attended the opening ceremony as the Guest of Honour for Ikebana International Singapore Chapter 135’s “Planting A Rainbow” exhibition at the Atrium of Paragon Shopping Centre on 17 May. Madam Ishikawa also attended and enjoyed the colourful and harmonious Ikebana arrangements. Ms Peggy Loh, President of Ikebana International Singapore Chapter 135, kickstarted the event with a welcome speech...(Click here to read more)

JCC Director's visit to the Opening of "Last Shadow At First Light"

JCC Director Akiko Kawabe had an honour of meeting Film Director Nicole Midori Woodford (right) and Actress Mihaya Shirata (centre) at the Opening of Woodford's film "Last Shadow At First Light", starring Shirata, on 9 May at The Projector. The film marks the debut of 20-year-old Shirata, who was successfully selected by Woodford to play the main character, a teenage girl...(Click here to read more)

Ambassador's visit to Team Japan for the Citi Para Swimming World Series Singapore 2024

On 16 May 2024, Ambassador Hiroshi Ishikawa visited Team Japan athletes at the OCBC Aquatic Centre, and expressed his best wishes for their participation in the Citi Para Swimming World Series Singapore 2024, scheduled from 17 to 19 May. The international competition is the only Asian stop, and over 150 high-performing athletes will be competing...(Click here to read more)

Ambassador's visit to MOELC Newton Campus

The Ministry of Education Language Centre (MOELC) held its 42nd Annual Prize Presentation Ceremony on Thursday, 16 May 2024 at the Auditorium of MOELC Newton Campus Auditorium. As prizes were awarded to the top students of each foreign language level, we were proud to have witnessed the winners for the Japanese Language Department. Ms Dorothy Naomi Tan was awarded the Japanese Ambassador’s Cup, the highest honour...(Click here to read more)

JCC Director's visit to the Citi Para Swimming World Series Singapore 2024

JCC Director Ms Akiko Kawabe attended the Citi Para World Series Singapore 2024 last Saturday and Sunday (18 and 19 May) to cheer on swimmers from all over the world, including Japan and Singapore! Director Kawabe enjoyed not only the competition, but also the overall supportive atmosphere of the event where everyone applauded the volunteers and technical staff...(Click here to read more)

JCC Director’s visit to AFCC

JCC Director Ms Akiko Kawabe met with picture book authors at the Asian Festival of Children's Content (AFCC). Organised by the Singapore Book Council, the festival was held at the National Library Building from 23 to 26 May. With Curiosity as the main theme, AFCC brought together writers, illustrators, publishers, editors, and industry experts through a diverse programming which revolved around the world of Asian children’s literature and...(Click here to read more)

JCC Director’s visit to Catch Them Young KidsExcel Sports Camp

JCC Director Akiko Kawabe attended the special interactive futsal event of the Catch Them Young (CTY) KidsExcel Sports Camp as the Guest of Honor on 1 June at the Jurong East Sports Stadium. The Sports Camp, sponsored by Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JCCI) Singapore Foundation, took place from 27 to 31 May 2024. On June 1, nearly 100 children, both Singaporean and Japanese, from Albirex Niigata FC...(Click here to read more)

Himeji Castle: An Elegant Fortress

Among the numerous castles found in Japan, Himeji Castle in Hyogo Prefecture stands out with its stark white appearance that looks like a soaring white heron, thus earning the name “White Heron Castle”. It is not only recognised as a Japanese National Treasure, but it is also one of the first sites in Japan to be registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. The castle was completed in its present form in 1609, with its construction taking...(Click here to read more)

A Penny For Your Thoughts And More

A store where you can buy everything for the same price of 100-yen. That is the iconic branding of 100-yen shops. From snacks and sundries to cleaning supplies and electronics, you can find a wide range of daily essentials for sale. The most well-known chain is Daiso, with Seria, CanDo and Watts following behind. To illustrate the wide variety of products, you may be surprised to know that Daiso’s larger outlets may carry as many as...(Click here to read more)

JCC speaks to Ms Lisa Ono, a well-known professional Bossa Nova singer who will be here to perform in Singapore this June to celebrate the 35th anniversary of her career. She has been performing enthusiastically in New York, Brazil and many Asian countries, and in fact, she first performed in Singapore in 2005...(Click here to read more)

Ayu Season

Around June marks the first day of ayu season in Japan. On this day hordes of people eager to catch some ayu, or sweetfish, grab their fishing rods in the morning and head for the rivers and streams. Fishing for ayu is prohibited except during a specified season, to make sure the ayu remains a plentiful species. The official season may sometimes start on different dates in different areas of the country, depending on how large the ayu grows. The season runs until September or as late as December...(Click here to read more)