Dear Friends of JCC,

Konnichiwa!

October proved to be an incredibly fulfilling month, with plenty of opportunities to meet and hear directly from inspiring creators across various fields. At the opening of this year’s Japanese Film Festival, I had the privilege of not only watching the Singapore premiere of “The Keeper of the Camphor Tree”, but also hearing from the film director himself, Mr Ito Tomohiko. It was inspiring to learn about his journey in adapting the novel by the late author, Mr Higashino Keigo, for the big screen. I was also delighted to attend this...(Click here to read more)

Opening Ceremony of Japanese Film Festival 2026

Our Japanese Film Festival 2026 started with a spectacular opening ceremony on 1 October at Shaw Theatres Lido, featuring the Singapore premiere of The Keeper of the Camphor Tree, an animation film based on the novel by the late author Mr Higashino Keigo. The opening event welcomed over 100 guests from the diplomatic missions including Ambassadors, and the Singaporean film industry as well as film enthusiasts. Guests enjoyed...(Click here to read more)

Woven Memory of Culture Talk & Demonstration

JCC held an enlightening talk about craftsmanship through the perspectives of artisans on 3 October. Representative of Bekko Isogai Mr Isogai Tsuyoshi and Wagasa (traditional Japanese umbrellas) bamboo-frame artisan Mr Maeda Kengo specially flew in from Japan to introduce their own Japanese traditional craft to a full house. Mr Maeda also gave a Wagasa demonstration, which is extremely rare to witness even in Japan...(Click here to read more)

JET Programme Briefing 2026

The JET Programme Briefing 2026 was held in-person at JCC and online on 15 October and 17 October respectively. Jointly organised by JET Alumni Association (JETAA) Singapore, J.CLAIR Singapore, and Embassy of Japan in Singapore, participants were able to learn more about the Japan Exchange & Teaching (JET) Programme and the experiences of those who have been on this programme. Representatives from the Embassy and...(Click here to read more)

Opening Ceremony of SJ60 CHADO Exhibition 2026 - Harmony - CHADO・IKEBANA・The Beauty of TENMYO

The “SJ60 CHADO Exhibition 2026 - Harmony -" was opened at JCC on 20 October. The event began with speeches by Ambassador Ishikawa Hiroshi, and President of Chado Urasenke Tankokai Singapore Association Mr Tan Jong Lek. As the first week of the exhibition focused on Tenmyo imono (cast ironworks) tea utensils, the opening event featured...(Click here to read more)

Tea Gatherings

A series of five sessions of Japanese tea gatherings, organised by the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Singapore Association, was held at JCC on 24 October. Representing the association, Head Instuctor Ms Sochoku Nakabyashi and Chief Administrator Mr Clarence Chua shared about the culture and meaning of rituals in tea ceremony, as well as the cast ironwork utensils including tea kettles. The tea gatherings were part of the “SJ60 CHADO Exhibition 2026...(Click here to read more)

The Spirit of Ikenobo - Ikebana and the Way of Tea -

JCC, Ikenobo Mizuma Chapter and Chado Urasenke Tankokai Singapore Association hosted a talk and Ikebana demonstration by Mizuma Chapter Head Ms Matsukuma Rumiko, on 27 October. This programme was part of the second half of the “SJ60 Chado Exhibition 2026”, exploring how ikebana and the tea ceremony intertwine harmoniously. Ms Matsukuma, a highly ranked instructor (Katoku 華督) from the Ikenobo School of Ikebana...(Click here to read more)

SGIFF x SJ60 screening of LOOK BACK

A special presentation screening of LOOK BACK by acclaimed Japanese film director Mr Kore-eda Hirokazu was held at the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) on Saturday, 24 October, at GV VivoCity in celebration of SJ60. H.E. Ambassador Ishikawa Hiroshi graced the screening as a special guest and met Director Kore-eda, who travelled to Singapore especially for the Festival. In his speech, Ambassador Ishikawa...(Click here to read more)

SGIFF x SJ60 screening of NAGI NOTES

The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) brought acclaimed Japanese film director Mr Koji Fukada’s latest film, NAGI NOTES, to Singapore, in a collaboration with Japan Creative Centre (JCC) to celebrate SJ60. JCC Director Ms Kawabe Akiko attended the screening at GV Bugis+ on 29 October as a special guest, where she met Director Fukada and the film’s Singaporean co-producer, Ms Tan Si En. Ms Kawabe addressed the audience and congratulated Director Fukada on his remarkable achievements...(Click here to read more)

Visit by students from Waseda University

A group of 55 students and lecturers from Waseda University visited JCC (Japan Creative Centre) on 25 September. Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Mr Hotta Toru and diplomats from the Embassy of Japan in Singapore welcomed them. The students were given a presentation by DCM Mr Hotta on what the young generation of Japan can learn from Singapore and where they can find potentials for our future friendship...(Click here to read more)

Visit by students from Gunma Prefectural Chuo Secondary School

A group of 8 students and teachers from the Gunma Prefectural Chuo Secondary School visited JCC (Japan Creative Centre) on 16 October. The students were given a presentation by Second Secretary Ms Yazawa Akiko on Singapore, the Embassy of Japan in Singapore, JCC and the activities done to promote Japan and Japanese culture in Singapore. They also learned about...(Click here to read more)

Visit to“Revue Show” by OSK Nippon Revue Company

Ambassador Ishikawa Hiroshi attended a spectacular show by the OSK Nippon Revue Company at Singtel Waterfront Theatre at Esplanade on 23 October. The dazzling world of OSK, a Japanese all-female theatre troupe with a history of more than 100 years, wowed the audience in Singapore for a second time, following their first show in 2025. The stunning show was led by top star Tsubasa Kazuki, who gained nationwide recognition...(Click here to read more)

Kasamashiko – A story of pottery produced by twin cities

Shigaraki ware is one of Japan’s six ancient kilns and is perhaps now most famous for its tanuki racoon dog statues. Shigaraki ware gave birth to Kasama ware and Mashiko ware. These two kilns are jointly known as the “Kasamashiko Brothers.”The elder brother, Kasama ware, was born in the mid-Edo (1603-1868) era when Kuno Han’uemon built a kiln under the guidance of Shigaraki ware potter Choemon. Today, there are roughly...(Click here to read more)

Mimi udon

Mimi Udon is a traditional dish in the Kuzuu area of Sano City and the Shiroyama area of Utsunomiya City. Udon noodles are generally thought of as long and thin strings, but Mimi Udon has a slightly different shape. It is called "Mimi Udon" because the shape made from kneaded flour resembles the shape of an ear. In Sano City, there is a custom of holding an ear-shaped udon in one's hand and putting it to one's ear to pray for...(Click here to read more)

Labour Thanksgiving Day

November 23 is Labour Thanksgiving Day, a second national holiday in November. It became a holiday in 1948 as a day for citizens to express gratitude to one other for work done throughout the year and for the fruits of those labors.

Labour Thanksgiving Day (Kinro Kansha no Hi in Japanese) is actually a modern name for an ancient ritual called Niinamesai (Harvest Festival)...(Click here to read more)