Dear Friends of JCC,

Konnichiwa!

May was another exciting month, packed with a plethora of colourful events, ranging from exploring the variety of options available for further education in Japan, to engaging brain teasers including Sudoku and more! We also had the pleasure of welcoming Kazuki Tsubasa for a special talk at JCC. As the top Otoyaku (男役) of the OSK Nippon Revue Company, she shared the fascinating history and charms of Japanese revue theatre, and even performed popular tunes “Merry-Go-Round of Life” and “Tokyo Boogie Woogie” much to the audience’s delight. The all-female theatre...(Click here to read more)

Study in Japan Webinar

JCC organised The Study in Japan Webinar on 9 May 2026. The following 10 Japanese universities joined the online seminar to introduce what courses their schools can offer: Tohoku University, Institute of Science Tokyo, The University of Osaka, Tokyo Metropolitan University, University of Tsukuba, Ritsumeikan University, International Christian University...(Click here to read more)

Study in Japan Seminar

The Study in Japan Seminar 2026 was held at JCC on 9 May. Representatives from The University of Tokyo, Keio University and Nagoya University provided presentations and information to 90 interested students, parents and teachers. In addition, Mr Aihara, Education Attaché at the Embassy of Japan, presented general information about studying in Japan...(Click here to read more)

Opening Ceremony of Shaped by Nature: A Porcelain Dialogue Between Two Female Artists - Exhibition by Maeda Asami and Teo Huey Min

The Opening Ceremony of “Shaped by Nature: A Porcelain Dialogue Between Two Female Artists” was held at JCC on 14 May 2026. The exhibition features artworks by two female artists from Japan and Singapore, Ms Maeda Asami and Ms Teo Huey Min. JCC Director Ms Kawabe Akiko and Artifactt Director...(Click here to read more)

Artist Talk by Maeda Asami and Teo Huey Min

JCC and Artifactt held an Artist Talk with Ms Maeda Asami and Ms Teo Huey Min on 16 May as part of the Shaped by Nature exhibition. Both artists shared their creative processes and philosophies in art making. They also introduced their porcelain works inspired by nature, and answered many questions from guests during the Q&A. The session offered a unique opportunity to hear the perspectives of two porcelain artists from Japan and Singapore with...(Click here to read more)

Sudoku: Solving Puzzles the Japanese Way ~ Learning pencil puzzles with Mr Anpuku Yoshinao ~

JCC and Nikoli Co Ltd. presented Sudoku: Solving Puzzles the Japanese Way, a talk and demonstration event at Our Tampines Hub on 20 May, featuring Mr Anpuku Yoshinao, President of Nikoli. Mr Anpuku shared his Sudoku stories to the full-house audience, explaining the origins of Sudoku, its popularity in Japan as well as its benefits as a brain teaser. He also...(Click here to read more)

Dreams Into Reality: Kazuki Tsubasa Special Talk Session

JCC had the privilege of hosting a special talk event featuring Kazuki Tsubasa, the leading star and top Otokoyaku (男役) of the OSK Nippon Revue Company, on 20 May. The audience was captivated by the fascinating stories about the history and charms of Japanese revue theatre, as well as the exclusive behind-the-scene personal episodes shared during the talk session. Adding to the excitement was the special scissors-paper-stone game...(Click here to read more)

The Worlds We Share - Peace and Friendship Through Picture Books

Picture book artists and curators from Singapore and Japan came together for a panel talk themed “The Worlds We Share- Peace and Friendship Through Picture Books” on Saturday, 23 May, at the National Library. Organised as part of the Asian Festival of Children's Content (AFCC), the event also marked the opening of a 4-week long picture book exhibition at JCC, curated....(Click here to read more)

Opening Ceremony of ‘Blossoms of Joy’Exhibition

Ambassador Ishikawa Hiroshi attended the opening ceremony of 'Blossoms of Joy', an Ikebana exhibition by Ikebana International Singapore Chapter 135 (I.I. Singapore Chapter), at Paragon Shopping Centre on 7 May. JCC Director Kawabe Akiko also joined in the celebration. Held in commemoration of SJ60, this year’s exhibition features a special collaboration with the All Japan Kimono Consultant Association, exhibiting 10 Hana Musubi...(Click here to read more)

Opening Ceremony of「 Bone Flower 」

JCC Director Kawabe Akiko attended the opening of the exhibition,「 Bone Flower 」by architect and ceramic artist Yuki Nara, as a Guest-of-Honour on 14 May. Organised by LOY Contemporary Art Gallery and held at their Armenian Street location, the exhibition features works by Mr Yuki Nara, who comes from the celebrated Ohi-yaki lineage, a distinguished pottery tradition with a history of more than 350 years in Kanazawa...(Click here to read more)

Study in Japan Presentation at Dunman High School

Education Attaché and First Secretary Mr Aihara was invited by Dunman High School to participate in the High School Careers, Scholarships and Higher Education Day 2026 on 20 May 2026. Mr Aihara was heartened by the interest expressed by students and parents alike in studying in Japan. With every visitor to the booth, he shared information about the MEXT scholarship, English-based courses and what life...(Click here to read more)

Study in Japan Presentation at Yishun Innova Junior College

Education Attaché and First Secretary Mr Aihara was invited by Yishun Innova Junior College to participate in the 2026 YIJC Further Education Symposium on 20 May. The booth featured many brochures and pamphlets from various Japanese universities. Mr Aihara shared with students information about the MEXT Scholarship and studying in Japan. To learn more about...(Click here to read more)

Enjoying the Furo Charity Tea Gathering

Ambassador Ishikawa Hiroshi and Madam Ishikawa Yuko attended the Charity Tea Gathering “Enjoying the Furo”on 24 May, held at the Tea Room of The Japanese Association, Singapore, organised by the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Singapore Association. During the gathering, a hanging scroll with the inscription “葉々起清風”written by Sen Sōshitsu XV, who passed away last year at the age of 102, was displayed and appreciated by...(Click here to read more)

Enjoying the Furo Charity Tea Gathering

JCC Director Kawabe Akiko joined the charity tea gathering “Enjoying the Furo,” hosted by URASENKE, Singapore, at the tea house of the The Japanese Association, Singapore on 24 May. Pre-registered guests enjoyed a bowl of tea while listening to an association member explain the significance of the utensils selected for the occasion, each chosen to reflect the spirit of early summer or to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Singapore-Japan...(Click here to read more)

Study in Japan Presentation at MOELC Bishan and Newton

The MOE Language Centre held its annual “Japan Week” at its Bishan and Newton campuses on 25 and 28 May, respectively. Our First Secretary and Education Attaché, Mr Aihara, delivered a presentation to students currently learning Japanese as a third language at the MOELC, sharing about studying in Japan as well as the scholarship provided by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)...(Click here to read more)

Visit by Dr Iskandar Jalil

We were honoured to welcome Dr Iskandar Jalil to JCC, where he visited the porcelain exhibition, Shaped by Nature: A Porcelain Dialogue Between Two Female Artists on Friday, 15 May! Together with JCC Director Ms Kawabe Akiko, Artifactt Director Ms Annie Li and participating artist Ms Maeda Asami, Dr Iskandar Jalil had a tour around the exhibition, and the opportunity to know more about the inspirations and techniques...(Click here to read more)

Visit by Bendemeer Secondary School students

JCC welcomed 25 students and 3 teachers from Bendemeer Secondary School for a school visit on 26 May. The students were on a learning journey to explore how culture, place and texts shape their understanding of Japan in both literary and real-world contexts, and JCC was their first stop. Second Secretary Ms Yazawa Akiko gave a presentation on the role of the Embassy of Japan and JCC’s activities. She also talked about...(Click here to read more)

Tracing the History of a Medieval Rural Landscape

Kansai International Airport in Osaka is the gateway to western Japan, but not many visitors are aware of the history of the area that the airport is located in. About 800 years ago, the area which is now Izumisano City became a vast estate owned by the aristocratic Kujo family. In medieval Japan, noble families like the Kujo family owned territories throughout the country...(Click here to read more)

Kushikatsu (Stick Katsu)

"Kushikatsu" is a dish where a variety of ingredients such as beef, vegetables, and seafood are skewered, coated with batter, and deep-fried. It is commonly eaten right after being fried and dipped into a container of sauce. There is a well-known rule among diners that sharing the sauce is allowed, but "double-dipping" is strictly prohibited. The origin of "kushikatsu" has various theories, but one account suggests that it originated...(Click here to read more)

Sanno Festival (in Tokyo)

The Sanno Festival is organized by Hie Shrine in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. The shrine has a long history, dating back to 1478, when it was built to ensure good fortune during the construction of the castle in Edo (now Tokyo).

The highlight of the festival is the procession of portable shrines, which meandered through Edo Castle during the Edo period (1603-1868) and was viewed by the shogun. For this reason, it was also called the Tenka, or "crowning" festival...(Click here to read more)