Dear Friends of JCC,

Konnichiwa!

Finally, we hear the news that the weather in Japan is turning cooler, allowing people to enjoy more activities. In fact, autumn is said to be the season of eating, art, and culture. That was no different at JCC in September, where we offered a colourful palette of activities - from celebrating the awardees of the Scenery of Japan Photo Contest to enjoying the charms of Kumamoto and Kochi Prefectures, and learning about the fruitful experiences of NUS...(Click here to read more)

Celebration Night of Scenery of Japan Photo Contest ~ Showcasing the unique charms of Japan through photographs ~

Reception of the Scenery of Japan Photo Contest ~ Showcasing the unique charms of Japan through photographs ~ was held at JCC on Wednesday, 4 September 2024. This exhibition features the top 20 photos printed, as well as other 200 shortlisted photos in a digital format, out of 1,027 applications for the preceding Photo Contest. Firstly, H.E. Ambassador Hiroshi Ishikawa...(Click here to read more)

A day of fun and excitement with Kumamon! ~ Kumamoto Promotional Event with Kumamon meet-and-greet session ~

JCC had a fun-filled day of excitement and laugher with Kumamon, the official PR character of Kumamoto Prefecture, last Friday! Mr Tomohiro Tsugawa, Deputy Director-General, Office of the Governor of Kumamoto Prefectural Government who came from Japan with Kumamon, kick-started each of the three sessions and welcomed all the guests at JCC, followed...(Click here to read more)

The Tange Approach to Architecture and Cities

Mr Paul Noritaka Tange, Chairman of Tange Associates, held a talk on The Tange Approach to Architecture and Cities at JCC on Tuesday, 17 September, as part of our 15th Anniversary Talk Series this year. H.E. Ambassador Hiroshi Ishikawa firstly welcomed the audience with his opening remarks and spoke about how both Mr Tange and his late father Mr Kenzo Tange have contributed to the friendship between Singapore and Japan...(Click here to read more)

Dive-deep into Japanese Cultures: Exhibition on Architecture Students' Design & Responses on Public Bath and Disaster Preparedness

On 21 September 2024, students from the National University of Singapore (NUS) Department of Architecture put up an exhibition about their fruitful and engaging learning experience in Japan. One exhibit focused on Public Bath Culture (銭湯文化), which provides a rich environment to study how...(Click here to read more)

Opening Ceremony of Japanese Film Festival 2024

The opening ceremony of the Japanese Film Festival (JFF) 2024 was held at Shaw Theatres Lido on 26 September with the premiere screening of ALL THE LONG NIGHTS, directed by filmmaker Mr Sho Miyake, who received the 2024 Kurosawa Akira Award at the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF). In attendance together with H.E Ambassador Hiroshi Ishikawa was our Guest of Honour Ms Lee Weimin, Deputy Director-General...(Click here to read more)

Kochi's Festival of Flavours - Discover Yosakoi & Local Delights -

On 28 September, guests to JCC were brought on a journey to get to know about the wonderful charms of Kochi Prefecture. Through a spectacular presentation on the sights and activities of Kochi Prefecture, vibrant Yosakoi performances and delightful tastings of Yuzu treats and drinks, guests became quickly acquainted with the prefecture located on the southern side of Shikoku, spreading east and west to embrace the Pacific Ocean...(Click here to read more)

Singapore Press Club Embassy Night

On 29 August, we hosted the Singapore Press Club Embassy Night at the residence of Ambassador Ishikawa. Around 60 professionals in the media industry gathered and enjoyed the networking and fireside chat with Ambassador, moderated by Mr Derek Wallbank, Managing Editor at Bloomberg News. They also had a unique opportunity to interact with the special guest from Japan: MYAKU-MYAKU, the official character of Expo 2025...(Click here to read more)

Kumamon and delegation's courtesy call on Ambassador

Kumamon, the official PR character of Kumamoto Prefecture, and his delegation paid an official courtesy call on H.E. Ambassador Hiroshi Ishikawa at his office on 6 September 2024. As the head of delegation, Kumamon dressed in a tuxedo gave a polite bow, then the meeting with Ambassador Ishikawa started. Kumamon’s delegation, consisting of Deputy Director-General, Mr Tomohiro Tsugawa, Office of the Governor of Kumamoto...(Click here to read more)

Visit by Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology students

On 10 September 2024, students from Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology and a student studying at SMU visited JCC. The students from Japan came to Singapore under an overseas career programme offered by the university, where they have internships at companies, together with the opportunity to experience local culture and lifestyle through homestay...(Click here to read more)

Visit to the Jurong Lake Gardens

On 17th September, H.E. Ambassador Ishikawa Hiroshi, Madam Yuko Ishikawa and diplomats visited the Jurong Lake Gardens. Guided by NParks’ staff, they viewed the Japanese and Chinese gardens which have reopened since 8th September 2024. In the Japanese Garden, the various elements like flowers, trees, waters (ponds and falls), and wooden buildings are harmoniously arranged and made us inspire a Japanese world around the...(Click here to read more)

A Mountain Village Culture Nurtured by Trust

Hitoyoshi Kuma is an area nestled in the mountains of Kumamoto Prefecture in Kyushu. It flourished culturally for centuries thanks to a strong relationship founded on trust between an outsider lord and the local inhabitants. In the Kamakura period (1185 - 1333), the Sagara clan was appointed to rule Hitoyoshi Kuma. Residents feared a new lord from an area over 1,000 kilometers away would mean drastic changes in their lives...(Click here to read more)

Yakiayu no kanroni

The Kuma River, Kumamoto's largest first-class river, runs through the Hitoyoshi Basin, flows through the Yatsushiro Plain, and empties into the Yatsushiro Sea. It has long been known as a source of ayu because of its rapid current, which is one of the three most rapid rivers in Japan, and the quality of its water, which is said to be clear. The reason for this is that the ayu's body is trained by the fierce current, and the clear water allows sunlight to...(Click here to read more)

Autumn Foliage

Japan is located in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, and it's home to many deciduous plant species whose leaves turn color in the fall, including the Japanese maple, ivy, yamaurushi (a type of sumac), and mountain ash.

When autumn deepens, these leaves change from green to red and gold. This is called koyo, or autumn foliage. Since ancient times, the Japanese have been fond of the beautiful colors of autumn and have written many poems about them...(Click here to read more)