Dear Friends of JCC,

Konnichiwa!

April was filled with exciting events that commemorated SJ60! We were delighted to bring back shogi workshops to JCC, in conjunction with the SJ60 Eiou Championship Singapore Match. It was to our great surprise that both beginners and experienced players’ sessions were met with overwhelming response, suggesting that people in Singapore are gradually gaining interest in shogi. If you wish to immerse yourself further in shogi, be sure...(Click here to read more)

Shogi Workshop: Back by Popular Demand ~ Commemorating the SJ60 Eiou Championship Singapore Match ~

JCC held a series of shogi workshops for beginners and experienced shogi players once again on 4 April. Under the guidance of six professional shogi players from Japan Shogi Association, participants of all ages enjoyed the fascinating world of shogi. Beginners learnt the basics of shogi and practised in an exciting open match, while experienced participants had the rare...(Click here to read more)

Kurokawa Noh: A lecture & demonstration on a 500-year-old sacred tradition

JCC co-organised a Kurokawa Noh lecture and demonstration event with The Japan Foundation on 29 April, in cooperation with the Kurokawa Noh Preservation Society. Associate Professor Lim Beng Choo, Head of Japanese Studies at the National University of Singapore, delivered a comprehensive lecture about the spiritual foundations and aesthetic qualities of...(Click here to read more)

Press Conference on the opening match of the 11th Eiou Championship

A press conference was held at Japan Creative Centre today ahead of the Shogi Eiou title match taking place in Singapore tomorrow, 3 April. The first round of the 11th Eiou title match will be held in commemoration of SJ60 this year. Eiou Mr Ito Takumi will defend his title against Mr Saito Shintaro. Ambassador Ishikawa Hiroshi warmly welcomed the return...(Click here to read more)

The opening match of the 11th Eiou Championship

The professional shogi Championship match began at the Japanese Association, Singapore, this morning. The player to make the first move was decided by "furigoma" (piece toss) and it was determined to be Mr Ito Takumi (Eiou). Ambassador Ishikawa Hiroshi, Director of ACM (Asian Civilisations Museum) Mr Clement Onn, Fujiya Co., Ltd. President Mr Kawamura Nobuyuki and Japan Shogi Association Executive Director Mr Itodani Tetsuro...(Click here to read more)

Shogi in Manga: March comes in like a lion

“March comes in like a lion” by Ms Chika Umino is a heartwarming story of a young shogi player's journey of growth, as he faces the challenges of the game and finds his way out of isolation through interactions with his downtown neighbours and fellow shogi players. The showcase “Shogi in Manga: March comes in like a lion” opened last month as an extension of the ACMs Special Exhibition “Let’s Play”. JCC Director Kawabe Akiko...(Click here to read more)

NHK Symphony Orchestra Special Concert

The NHK Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo performed at Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay on 29 April, for the first time in 24 years, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Japan (SJ60). A sold-out audience was treated to the performance under the baton of Maestro SHIMONO Tatsuya with acclaimed pianist SORITA Kyohei as the guest soloist. Their delicate yet powerful performance...(Click here to read more)

Visit to Singapore Symphony Orchestra concert

Ambassador Ishikawa Hiroshi, Madam Ishikawa Yuko and JCC Director Kawabe Akiko attended a wonderful Singapore Symphony Orchestra concert featuring two world-renowned Japanese musicians, conductor Mr Masaaki Suzuki and violinist Ms Sayaka Shoji on 17 April. The delighted audience at the Victoria Concert Hall was treated to beautiful works by Mozart and Kalliwoda, a 19th century Bohemian composer whose two symphonies...(Click here to read more)

Visit to SSEAYP Raya Sakura

Ambassador Ishikawa Hiroshi attended the SSEAYP Raya Sakura event organised by SSEAYP International Singapore (SIS) at Fave@Orchard (Concorde Hotel) on 18 April together with JCC Director Kawabe Akiko. They were warmly welcomed by Dr Farizan M Amin, Chairman of SSEAYP Raya Sakura 2026, and Mr Desmond Yew, President of SIS. The event was also attended by Guest-of-Honour Ms Sim Ann...(Click here to read more)

Visit to Pokémon Brass Concert by Brass Ensemble Members of the NHK Symphony Orchestra

The NHK Symphony Orchestra performed a Pokemon-themed brass nonet concert at Esplanade on 28 April, and Pikachu made a very special appearance! The concert was held in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Japan (SJ60). The celebrations don’t stop there. 2026 also marks the 100th anniversary of the NHK Symphony...(Click here to read more)

Visit to MOELC 44th Annual Prize Presentation Ceremony

The Ministry of Education Language Centre (MOELC) held its 44th Annual Awards Ceremony on 30 April 2026 at the MOELC Newton Auditorium. Many students who achieved outstanding results in foreign language learning were honoured at the ceremony. In recognition of her excellent performance in learning Japanese, Ms Celia Ong Sirui was presented with the Japanese Ambassador's Cup by Ambassador Ishikawa Hiroshi this year...(Click here to read more)

Visit to Ritual Noh of Kurokawa – Hagoromo

Ambassador Ishikawa Hiroshi attended the performance of Hagoromo by the Kurokawa Noh Troupe on 1 May. It was a rare opportunity to catch Kurokawa Noh outside of Japan and it was also a chance to further deepen cultural exchange between Japan and Singapore in commemoration of SJ60. The performance was supported by The Japan Foundation and was featured as part of the Esplanade’s “A Tapestry of Sacred Music 2026”...(Click here to read more)

Tsuruoka – A City of Silk Created by Samurai

The Boshin War in the mid-19th century pitted the forces of Japan’s feudal government against those who sought to establish a modern state. The samurai of the Shonai Domain, present-day Yamagata Prefecture, fought on the losing feudal side, and they expected to be punished harshly after their surrender. Instead they were shown clemency, a decision that would...(Click here to read more)

Trout Ankake

Trout Ankake is a springtime dish representative of the Shonai area. It is made from the most delicious of all trout, “Sakuramasu” or cherry trout. When cherry trout is young, they fight for their territory. The losing fish go down to the sea and become “Sakuramasu” or cherry trout, while the winning fish stay in the river to grow to become “yamame” or landlocked trout. The name “Sakuramasu” is said to come from the blooming of...(Click here to read more)

Children's Day

May 5 is Children's Day, when families celebrate the healthy growth and happiness of children. It became a national holiday in 1948, but it has been a day of celebration in Japan since ancient times.

The fifth day of the fifth month was traditionally called Tango no Sekku and was a festival for boys. Girls have their own festival, called Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival), held on the third day of the third month. On Children's Day, families with boys fly huge...(Click here to read more)