In celebration of the 61st birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, the Embassy of Japan in Singapore presented a special video on Facebook with remarks by Ambassador Mr Jun Yamazaki, followed by remarks from Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law, Mr Edwin...(Click here to read more)

Spring Blossoms ~ An Exhibition by Ikebana International Singapore Chapter 135 and in special collaboration with NAKED, Inc ~ opened on 25th February 2021. The exhibition, inspired by the beauty of spring, was opened by JCC Director Toru Furugori and President of Ikebana International, Ms Linda Soo-Tan. Through an app developed by NAKED Inc., guests were able to...(Click here to read more)

As part of Spring Blossoms ~ An Exhibition by Ikebana International Singapore Chapter 135 and in special collaboration with NAKED, Inc ~, an online demonstration workshop by Dr Leonard Lim, President of the Ikenobo Ikebana Society Singapore Chapter, was held on Saturday, 27 February 2020. Dr Leonard Lim did a total of three demonstrations, including his creation for the exhibition. He used sakura for one of his creations, and the sakura flowers are currently in full bloom here at JCC! The audience...(Click here to read more)

H.E. Ambassador Jun Yamazaki, together with Professor Tommy Koh, attended the launch of Sakura floral display featuring Hello Kitty at Gardens By The Bay (GBTB), Flower Dome, on 1 March. Mr Niam Chiang Meng (Chairman of Board of Directors, GBTB) and Mr Felix Loh (CEO, GBTB) were the hosts. They were greeted by the dynamic taiko and shamisen performance by Hibikiya. Later, they enjoyed the beautiful cherry blossoms on a guided tour. To be present at the unveiling of a Yayoi Kusama sculpture...(Click here to read more)

On 26 February 2021, Ambassador of Japan to Singapore, H.E. Jun Yamazaki, visited Japan Creative Centre (JCC) to see the exhibition “Spring Blossoms ~ An Exhibition by Ikebana International Singapore Chapter 135 in special collaboration with NAKED, INC. ~. Ms Linda Soo-Tan, the President of Ikebana International Singapore Chapter 135, and Ms Peggy Loh, the Vice President...(Click here to read more)

Osaka city is an urban metropolis, a financial hub in which millions of people live and work in. Nestled in the centre of this sprawling city, however, is a historical building that can be said to be more emblematic of the city than any of its tall, fancy skyscrapers: Osaka Castle. Osaka Castle is just one of the many castles that are dotted across the country. Most of Japan’s castles were built during the Sengoku period, also known as the...(Click here to read more)

Karaoke - a familiar and fun activity that allows you to bring out your inner popstar. From children to adults, in groups or even alone, anyone can sing their hearts out with the help of a karaoke machine. These machines are familiar sights at karaoke boxes, bars, and at community centres, but do you know the history of how these now-ubiquitous machines came to be? The term karaoke (カラオケ) is actually a portmanteau of two words - ‘karappo...(Click here to read more)

In January, JCC interviewed Namiko Sakai, Founder and Managing Director of Hibikiya. She settled in Singapore in 20 years ago, and set up Hibikiya as a way to introduce various types of Japanese music and culture to Singaporeans.

Japan Creative Centre (JCC): Why did you decide to come to Singapore? (Click here to read more)

Hina Matsuri