Dear Friends of JCC,

Konnichiwa!

February was a fulfilling month, with an assortment of events that provided food for thought in various areas ranging from aerospace, sports and wellness to Japanese society. It was a special honour for JCC to welcome Mr Ishii Yasuo, Senior Vice President of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), to talk on JAXA’s history and current activities in space development, as well as how they cooperate and work with Singapore. Space usually feels like a distant topic, but I believe that this event allowed...(Click here to read more)

Japan Study Trip Presentation by SMU students

Students from Singapore Management University (SMU) gave insightful presentations at JCC last Saturday about what they learnt and experienced in their study trip to Japan last December. In one presentation, they discussed perceptions of gendered occupations in the workforces of Singapore and Japan. In another presentation, they explored how environmental influences shape opinions on gender equality in Japan in...(Click here to read more)

International Joint Seminar for Smart Wellness City

JCC and the University of Tsukuba co-hosted the International Joint Seminar for Smart Wellness City on 20 February. With the aim of encouraging dialogue between academics, businesses, and institutions in Singapore and Japan who are engaged in the fields of health, wellness, sports, and active aging. As both Singapore and Japan embrace their aging population, more initiatives are being taken to promote active ageing...(Click here to read more)

JCC Cinema 93 x JFF: Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom

JCC Cinema 93 x Japanese Film Festival: Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom (PG13) was held at Woodlands Regional Library, one of the heartland areas of Singapore. Our Director Ms Kawabe Akiko welcomed the audience and introduced the mission and functions of JCC, including our annual JFF that has been running since 1983. Following which, Mr Xavier Lim from the library highlighted a collection of the books they have on Japanese...(Click here to read more)

Realising a Safe and Affluent Society Through Space Exploration ~ Japan's space development efforts and its relationship with the world ~

JCC is delighted to have hosted Mr Ishii Yasuo, Senior Vice President of the JAXA, as a speaker of a lecture on Japan’s space development on Tuesday, 25 February 2025. In his talk titled “JAXA Overview and Siganpore-Japan Space Cooperation”, Mr Ishii presented an overview of the history, current status and...(Click here to read more)

Savouring the Flavours of Kumamoto Prefecture ~The cultural and historical hub of shochu~

JCC held the Savouring the Flavours of Kumamoto Prefecture ~ The cultural and historical hub of shochu ~ event on 28 February 2025. Ms Kawabe Akiko, Director of JCC opened the event with an address, and this was followed by Mr Yamaguchi Yuji, Director of the Kumamoto Representative Office in Singapore, who introduced attractions in Kumamoto as well as...(Click here to read more)

JENESYS Sharing Session

Sapporo Kiyota High School students who participated in the JENESYS (Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths) programme gave a presentation about their learnings, impressions gained through the programme and action plans at Japan Creative Centre (JCC) on 17 February 2025. Representatives from National Youth Council Singapore (NYC) and Temasek Polytechnic were among the audience...(Click here to read more)

Study in Japan Presentation at NTU

Interested in studying in Japan but don’t know how? First Secretary Mr Aihara last week shared about studying in Japan with students of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore who are thinking of pursuing post-graduate studies in Japan. Besides sharing about the scholarship awarded by the MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) of the Japanese government, Mr Aihara also...(Click here to read more)

The Reception to Celebrate the Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan (2025)

Ambassador Ishikawa hosted a reception in celebration of the 65th birthday of His Majesty the Emperor on 27th Feb. Ambassador congratulated SG60 this year and also expressed his enthusiasm for the celebration of SJ60, the 60th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Singapore, in 2026. He noted steady progress in cooperation...(Click here to read more)

Opening Ceremony of "All About Spring"

Experience the vibrant beauty of spring at the "All about Spring" floral exhibition by Ikebana International Singapore Chapter 135, now open at Great World! JCC Director Kawabe Akiko attended the Opening Ceremony as the Guest of Honour last Friday, and was delighted with the artistry and fresh essence of each ikebana arrangement, celebrating the joy and refreshing spirit of the spring season. Through this event, the Singapore Chapter...(Click here to read more)

Visit by TOHO Entertainment Asia

Our Director Ms Kawabe Akiko and JCC staff welcomed Chibi Godzilla and Chibi Mothra, as well as representatives from TOHO Entertainment Asia, who recently opened an office in Singapore to bring more Japanese content and characters to the Southeast Asian fans. Look at their Godzilla Pause, in anticipation of many exciting entertainment features to come, of course!! (Click here to read more)

Visit by Kwansei Gakuin University

On 10 February, visitors from Kwansei Gakuin University in Hyogo and the International Office of Seikei University in Tokyo came to JCC as part of a study trip to Singapore and Malaysia. The visitors listened to a presentation about Singapore and JCC’s activities. They were curious about government policies in Singapore and wanted to know how life in Singapore is like and what Singaporeans liked about Japanese culture. They also...(Click here to read more)

Visit to the RawGround Film Premiere

JCC Director Akiko Kawabe was delighted to meet visual artist Ms Takako Hamano in the RawGround Film Premiere at *SCAPE on Friday night. Ten short films produced by five selected artists, including Ms Hamano, were screened in the event, followed by two Q&A sessions. Among other artists were two Singaporeans, architect and artist Mr Lip Chiong and movement practitioner and educator Mr Matthew Goh. Director Kawabe...(Click here to read more)

Visit to the Singapore premiere of “Worlds Apart”

Japanese film “Worlds Apart” has made its Singapore premiere today! JCC Director Akiko Kawabe was among the audience at the Singapore Film Society's Showcase event and enjoyed the delicate and sometimes humorous drama between a young aunt, played by Yui Aragaki (新垣結衣), and her teenage niece, played by Ikoi Hayase (早瀬憩). SFS says the film will be screened in Singapore again on 16 March, so please check it out...(Click here to read more)

New Year's Party of JUGAS

Huat ah! Ambassador Ishikawa attended the New Year's Party of JUGAS (Japanese University Graduates Association of Singapore) earlier this month and congratulated JUGAS for its 55th anniversary. In the event, JUGAS President Shen announced its new scholarship to be launched in commemoration of its 55th anniversary this year and the 60th anniversary of Singapore-Japan diplomatic relations in 2026. Thank you, JUGAS! We...(Click here to read more)

Rice Farming in the Kikuchi River Basin: 2,000 Years of Dedication and Ingenuity

The history of rice farming is measured in millennia in the Kikuchi River Basin. Rice has been cultivated in this part of northern Kumamoto Prefecture for 2,000 years, and it played a role in forming the area’s landscape and culture. The dedication and ingenuity that helped this area flourish can be seen throughout the river basin. Visitors will be struck, for example, by the...(Click here to read more)

Tofu misozuke

It is said that about 800 years ago, a fallen Heike warrior who lost the battle with the Minamoto clan hid at the foot of the Higo Mountains and created and passed down this "tofu misozuke". Homemade tofu and barley miso are made using soybeans and barley grown in slash-and-burn fields in the "mountainous Gokansho (Izumi, Yatsushiro City)" area and Itsuki Village. The tofu, which has been soaked in miso for about six months, has a cheesy...(Click here to read more)

Hina Matsuri

March 3 is Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival or Girls' Festival), a day people pray for the happiness and healthy growth of girls. Families with young daughters mark this day by setting up a display of hina ningyo dolls inside the house. They offer hina arare (colourful rice crackers) and other food to the dolls.

The dolls wear costumes of the imperial court during the Heian period (794-1185) and are placed on a tiered platform covered with red felt. The size of the dolls and number...(Click here to read more)