Ikebana International (I.I.) Singapore Chapter 135 celebrated its 49th year of establishment at the residence of H.E. Ambassador Kenji Shinoda on 11th April 2018. Over 50 guests, including spouses of Heads of Diplomatic Missions in Singapore attended this joyous occasion. H.E. Ambassador Kenji Shinoda welcomed all of the guests, and Ms Angela Kek, I.I. President, gave a...(Click here to read more)

A TAKEMITSU SEASON: the Spring Soiree

Opening of 感０ – KANZERO: An Exhibition by wataboku

Opening Reception of Photographic Images and Matter: Japanese Prints of the 1970s

感０ – KANZERO Artist Talk: Digital Graphic Art in Asia

JCC presented a fun onigiri demonstration at Tampines West Community Club’s Silver Jubilee Open House on Saturday, 21 April 2018. The demonstration was led by Ms Reiko Yamada, an accomplished chef and cookbook author, who has authored two books on traditional Japanese homecooking...(Click here to read more)

On Sunday, 22 April 2018, JCC presented Fun With Onigiri, an exciting onigiri event at Wisma Atria Atrium. The event was an onigiri demonstration led by Ms Reiko Yamada, an accomplished chef and author of two cookbooks that focus on simple Japanese home-cooking. Attendees learnt more about onigiri, Japanese soul food, and lucky contestants were chosen to take...(Click here to read more)

On 3rd April 2018, Mr Yacob Hussain, Organising Chairman of Chingay@Heartlands, as well as Mr Richard Ong, Ms Florence Chan, and Mr Shagul Hameed from Bedok Community Center visited JCC (Japan Creative Centre). They were received by Director of JCC, Ms Akiko Sugita, Third Secretary Ms Chihiro Ono, and JCC Events Team Staff Ms Bernice Minjoot. A certificate of appreciation, signed by Minister Lim Swee Say, was presented to...(Click here to view more)

A total of eight newly arrived representatives of J.CLAIR Singapore visited JCC (Japan Creative Centre) and Embassy of Japan in Singapore on Wednesday, 11 April 2018. Led by its Director Mr. Kenjiro Hashimoto, the group were welcomed by our JCC Deputy Director Mr. Kazunori Matsunaga and 2nd Secretary Mr. Gaku Mizota, following which Mr. Matsunaga briefly explained about the functions of JCC and Japanese community in Singapore...(Click here to read more)

On 20 April 2018, officials from the Japanese Cabinet Office, including Mr Noriyuki Koda, the Vice-Minister for Policy Coordination, Ms Kaori Nakamura, Director of the Office for International Youth Exchange, Mr Etsushi Nagao, Unit Chief of the Office for International Youth Exchange, and interpreter Ms Yukiko Tajima, visited JCC (Japan Creative Centre). They were in Singapore for a short visit on their way to Bandung, Indonesia for the...(Click here to read more)

H.E. Ambassador Kenji Shinoda visited Prof. Tan Eng Chye, President of National University of Singapore (NUS) on 12 April 2018. They discussed on issues surrounding the future cooperation among NUS and Japanese universities and research institutes. (Click here to read more)

H.E. Ambassador Kenji Shinoda visited Prof. Subra Suresh, President of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) on 30 April 2018. They discussed on issues surrounding the future cooperation among NTU and Japanese universities and research institutes. (Click here to read more)

Deputy Chief of Mission Minister Naohiro Tsutsumi visited JCC (Japan Creative Centre) on 3 May 2018 to view the current exhibition 感0 - KANZERO. Deputy Director of JCC Mr Kazunori Matsunaga introduced the theme of the exhibition and the artworks to him. Minister Tsutsumi was very impressed by the artworks and praised the strong impact of the artwork created by both wataboku and Muju Monster. 感0 – KANZERO will be on display at JCC until...(Click here to read more)

Shizuoka and Tochigi Oyama City Homestay Report By Mr Russell Lee

This January, I had the privilege of participating in two homestays in Japan: one in Shizuoka city in Shizuoka prefecture and one in Oyama city in Tochigi prefecture. First I went to Shizuoka, where I spent a weekend with the Kouno family, comprising Mr. Kouno, his wife Youko and their son Tomohiro. It was an interesting and delightful experience, partly due to the warmth and...(Click here to read more)

Kagoshima Homestay Report By Mr Tay Woo Chiao

Hakata Dontaku Festival

Deepening our view of small RNAs

One of RIKEN’s major areas of research in life science is the study of so-called non-coding RNA, which are transcribed from DNA but never translated into proteins. At one time these were called “junk DNA,” but now it is known that many non-coding RNA have important functions...(Click to read more)

Vitamin A derivative selectively kills liver cancer stem cells

Acyclic retinoid, an artificial compound derived from vitamin A, has been found to prevent the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer. Now, in research published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, scientists have discovered that the compound targets one class of cancer stem cells, preventing them from giving rise to new tumors...(Click to read more)

Researchers uncover origin of virus-fighting plasma B cells

Plasma B cells, which move through the body releasing antibodies, are an important component of the body’s fight against viral infections and other invaders. They are relatively rare, however, and increasing their ranks is a major goal of vaccination. However, scientists do not yet fully understand how precursor cells are selected either to enter the body’s fluids as plasma cells or remain in the places, known as germinal centers, where they undergo reprogramming to become more specific attackers of an infection...(Click to read more)

Newly discovered hormone helps keep plants from dehydrating

Researchers at the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (CSRS) in Japan have discovered a small hormone that helps plants retain water when none is available in the soil. Published in the journal Nature on April 4, the study shows how the peptide CLE25 moves from the roots to the leaves when water is scarce and helps prevent water loss by closing pores in the leaf surface...(Click to read more)

SAKURA Exchange Program in Science (SSP) by JST

Asia is undergoing a period of dramatic progress. Promoting science and technology is a key engine to materialize a bright future of Asia and it is vitally important to enhance the exchange of Japanese and Asian youths who will play a crucial role in the field of science and technology. Based on this concept, “Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science” (SAKURA Exchange Program in Science) is the program for enhancing exchanges between Asia and Japan of the youths who will play a crucial role in the future field of science and technology through the close collaboration of industry-academia-government by facilitating short-term visits of competent Asian youths to Japan. (Click here to read more: Website | High School Student Special Course Videos | Pamphlet)

Miraikan is a place where we can understand the things happening in our world today from a scientific point of view, and have discussions while considering the future that awaits us. In addition to exhibitions that provide people with a chance to enjoy hands-on contact with science and technology, Miraikan's colorful line-up of offerings includes experienced based classes, and talks. Visitors can experience the technological progress of today, from simple day-to-day questions, to the latest technologies, the global environment, space exploration and...(Click here to read more: Website | Video)

Miraikan - the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Odaiba, Tokyo), will hold the special exhibition “Detective Conan: Scientific Investigation” from April 18 to July 8, 2018. Detective Conan, also known abroad as Case Closed, is a popular anime and manga franchise that has spread across borders, cultures and generations since its serialization beginning in 1994. The special exhibition provides a fun experience through the process of a scientific investigations in the imaginary world of Detective Conan. The exhibition features a special original story not seen in the original works...(Click to read more)

Since FY2015, Kyoto University has launched “Japan-ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Platform (JASTIP): Promotion of Sustainable Development Research” within the framework of the Collaboration Hubs for International Research Program (CHIRP) 2015 funded by the Strategic International Collaborative Research Program (SICORP) of Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). This project promotes research that can be...(Click to read more)

Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) is pleased to announce a call for proposals for FY 2018 e-ASIA Joint Research Program (e-ASIA JRP) in “Health Research: Infectious Diseases, Cancer Research”. research area. The e-ASIA Joint Research Program (hereinafter referred to as the “e-ASIA JRP”) aims to develop a vibrant and collaborative research community in Science and Technology, to promote innovation in the East Asian region, and to contribute to the region’s economic development. (Click here to read more)

Singapore A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research) with whom AMED signed the Memorandum of Cooperation is offering various scholarships such as:

National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP; Kodaira City, Tokyo; President, Hidehiro Mizusawa) announced that results of an exploratory investigator-initiated clinical trial (hereinafter The Study) of an agent for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) (Development code, NS-065/NCNP-01), co-developed with Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd. (Nippon Shinyaku; Headquarters, Kyoto City; President, Shigenobu Maekawa), were published in the journal Science Translational Medicine. (Click here to read more: English | Japanese)

Japan -- A study appearing in the in Proceedings of the Natural Academy of Sciences gives new clues into how cancers like leukemia form from the retrovirus HTLV-1, as well as insights into the possible creation of a vaccine...(Click here to read more: English | Japanese)

Human immunodeficiency virus -- HIV -- is believed to have evolved from a simian immunodeficiency virus, or SIV, that originated in chimpanzees. How SIV made the species jump has remained a mystery, since human bodies possess a defense mechanism that should prevent such infections. Tetherin, a crucial protein for this protection, acts as a sticky pad on the surface of infected cells, preventing them from releasing nascent virus particles...(Click here to read more: English | Japanese)

"Student Guide to Japan" is an essential book for international students planning to study in Japan.

(Click to read more: English | Mandarin)

"Scholarships for International Students in Japan 2017-2018" contains details about scholarships provided by various organisations that have responded to a questionnaire survey carried out by JASSO. (Click here to read more)

Our new Student Advisor Ms Regina provides free student counselling for people interested in studying in Japan. The counselling will be held at the Embassy of Japan, 16 Nassim Road, Singapore 258390. No appointment is necessary. Please call 62358855 if you have any queries. There will be no counselling sessions on Embassy holidays. (Click here to read more)

Job Hunting Guide for International Students 2018 was released by Japan Student Service Organisation (JASSO). (Click here to read more)

Japan Student Service Organisation (JASSO) publishes Japan Alumni eNews every month. The contents are as follows:

1. Life in Japan by Photo
2. Alumni News
3. Academic News
4. Business News (Job Hunting)
5. Visit Japan
6. NIPPON Information
7. JASSO News
8. From the Editor

The Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) is used to evaluate whether international students who wish to study at the undergraduate level at universities or other such higher educational institutions in Japan possess the Japanese language skills and the basic academic abilities needed to study at those institutions. (Guidelines for the 2017 EJU | (Click here to read more))

JASSO holds Study in Japan Fairs outside Japan with participation of Japanese universities to provide information on study in Japan to high school students, university students and educators.

Target: High school students, university students and graduate students.
Exhibitors: Japanese universities
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Information related to application qualifications, major field of studies, medium of instruction and on-campus scholarships of Japanese graduate schools, universities and junior colleges is available for searching through Excel files posted online. (Click here to read more)

EDU-Port Japan is a public-private, nationwide initiative to proactively disseminate Japanese-style education overseas by providing a platform from which the public and private sectors collaborate in achieving this objective. The platform is supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and many other organizations including NGOs and private businesses.
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Since 2014, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has been carrying out the Top Global University Project to provide prioritized support to those universities that are leading the internationalization of Japan’s education by launching new programs to encourage and deepen interactions and partnerships with the world’s top universities, reforming personnel and educational systems, enhancing educational systems to help students develop the ability to act globally and accelerating other globalization initiatives. Under the Top Global University Project, 13 universities were selected as Type A (Top Type) universities that are conducting world-leading education and research and 24 universities were selected as Type B (Global Traction Type) universities that are leading the globalization of Japanese society. These 37 universities have been working hard on internationalization and university reform. (Click here to read more)

Top global university project Outline Flyer is as follows: https://tgu.mext.go.jp/en/downloads/pdf/sgu_flier.pdf