Dear Friends of JCC,

Konnichiwa!

February was yet another enriching month, starting with a stage of classical music by Aoi Trio. It was a delight to have the three young talented musicians perform world’s well-known pieces at JCC to a full house. Despite the rainy weather, their youthful energy and passionate performance certainly enraptured everyone...(Click here to read more)

An Evening of Classical Music with Aoi Trio ~ A performance of piano trio pieces and solos ~

On 2 February 2024, JCC welcomed Aoi Trio with a full house despite the rain! Founded in 2016 by Kyoko Ogawa (violin), Yu Ito (cello) and Kosuke Akimoto (piano), all of whom graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts and studied at the acclaimed Chamber Music Academy of Suntory Hall in Tokyo for 2 years, Aoi Trio enchanted the audience with timeless classical...(Click here to read more)

SSEAYP Homecoming Event

On 6 February, JCC jointly hosted with the Ship for Southeast Asia and Japanese Youth Programme (SSEAYP) International Singapore a welcome reception celebrating the homecoming of the 47th batch of SSEAYP participants. The 47th SSEAYP was the first programme to be held after the pandemic subsided. Though the participants were unable to board the Nippon Maru ship for a unique 50-day voyage with over 300 youths from...(Click here to read more)

Aviation Sector Panel and Networking Session

On Thursday, the 22nd February 2024, the Panel and Networking Session for the aviation sector was held at the JCC (Japan Creative Centre). With participation from Boeing and 16 Japanese companies, the networking event was an opportunity to kickstart meaningful exchanges for possible avenues of business expansion and collaboration in addressing challenges within the industry. After an opening address by...(Click here to read more)

-The Heart of Sports and Budo- ~ Koji Murofushi and Akira Hino ~

For the third installation of the JCC 15th Anniversary Talk Series, JCC was honoured to have Dr Koji Murofushi, a renowned Olympic gold medalist and Commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency, and Mr Akira Hino, a master of traditional Japanese martial arts, share their profound knowledge and experiences regarding sports and budo (martial arts) on 26 February 2024 at The Japanese Association, Singapore. The event was opened by...(Click here to read more)

JENESYS (Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths) programme sharing session

On 25 January, First Secretary Mr Yuko Aihara and Second Secretary Ms Mana Yamaguchi joined the JENESYS (Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths) programme sharing session at Temasek Polytechnic. Two groups of Temasek Polytechnic students, who participated in the JENESYS programme in December 2023, shared their experiences in Tokyo...(Click here to read more)

The Reception to Celebrate the Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan (2024)

On Feb 19th, Ambassador Ishikawa hosted a reception in celebration of the 64th birthday of His Majesty the Emperor. In his speech, Ambassador reflected on the past year’s achievements in the Japan - Singapore relationship and mentioned that the embassy will do its best to enhance our relationship even further. We were also honored to have Ms. Grace Fu, Minister...(Click here to read more)

Towels Are the Talk of the Town

Located in Ehime prefecture and facing the Seto Inland Sea, Imabari city is famous for producing quality towels, and is Japan’s leading producer of towels, accounting for over 50% of domestically produced towels distributed in Japan. With almost 200 factories that twist yarn, dye yarn, weave towels and so on, the resulting towels produced are well-known for being extremely absorbent, durable, and soft, as well as having fade-free colours...(Click here to read more)

Ramen Rich in Flavour

Originating in China, ramen was brought to Japan around 1910, a time when Chinese cuisine was receiving more attention. It did not take long for the very first Japanese ramen flavoured with soy sauce, or shoyu, to appear in the Asakusa area of Tokyo. During that time, ramen was sold mainly in sidewalk stalls. Many stalls soon populated the streets of Yokohama Chinatown. Later in the 1950s, someone who had returned to Japan from China...(Click here to read more)

Vernal Equinox Day and Higan

March 20 or 21 is Shunbun no Hi, or Vernal Equinox Day, a day when the sun crosses the equator making night and day equal in length. It's a national holiday in Japan, a day to commune with nature and to show our affection for all living things.

The seven-day period starting three days before Vernal Equinox Day and ending three days after is called higan. Higan, which also occurs around Autumnal Equinox Day, is - along with New Year's and the Bon Festival in the...(Click here to read more)