SJ60

24/06/2026

On 19 June, Ambassador Ishikawa Hiroshi attended the NIKKEI Asia FORUM, “Beyond SJ60 Driving Asia’s Innovation and Leadership”, held at The Japanese Association, Singapore　　シンガポール日本人会. This seminar was a commemorative event marking (the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Japan), held in conjunction with the publication of a revised Japanese translation of “The Singapore Story: Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew”.

In the session “Leadership and Vision from Lee Kuan Yew: How He Shaped the Future of Southeast Asia”, Ambassador Ishikawa took the podium alongside Mr. Heng Swee Keat, Chairman, National Research Foundation and former deputy prime minister of Singapore, to discuss how instrumental Mr. Lee Kuan Yew’s insights and leadership were in establishing and strengthening bilateral relations elevating them into a genuine and mutually beneficial partnership.

During the discussion, Ambassador Ishikawa Hiroshi and Mr. Heng Swee Keat shared the view that Lee Kuan Yew’s pragmatic approach to relations with Japan will remain essential in fostering a more innovative and inclusive artnership beyond 🇯🇵🇸🇬✨

Ambassador Ishikawa also outlined Japan’s perspective on how the two countries can contribute to strengthening an open and resilient regional and global order, in line with the spirit inherited from Mr. Lee Kuan Yew.

He further noted that the publication of the revised translation is timely, as more young people in Japan are showing interest in leadership during times of crisis under current geopolitical conditions.

#日本人会

24/06/2026

Strengthening Japan-Singapore Water Collaboration at the SIWW Reception 🌏💧

Held on 15 June at Ambassador Ishikawa’s Residence alongside the Singapore International Water Week, the commemorative reception brought together stakeholders from Japan, Singapore, and the wider Indo-Pacific region to advance dialogue on water management, disaster prevention, and climate adaptation.

Partnered with SIWW and the Singapore Water Association (SWA), the event marked the 60th anniversary of Japan–Singapore diplomatic relations ( ), underscoring decades of collaboration, including Singapore’s “Four National Taps” strategy.

Amid shared challenges such as rising sea levels and coastal erosion, discussions focused on water treatment and coastal flood resilience, as well as evolving policy and market trends. A toast featuring NEWBrew, brewed with NEWater, symbolised the spirit of Japan-Singapore cooperation in water innovation.

We were honoured to have Her Excellency Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, as Guest of Honour. She highlighted the importance of continued cooperation in strengthening resilient water solutions.

The reception served as a platform to strengthen ties and explore future collaboration on shared water and climate challenges. 🇯🇵🇸🇬

22/06/2026

⛩️🌫️ A gateway to the afterlife in northern Japan

Located in Aomori, Mount Osore (Osorezan) is often described as the “gateway to the afterlife” in Japanese belief. Its stark volcanic landscape, filled with steaming vents and rocky terrain, evokes a world beyond the living.

The area of Sai no Kawara is especially poignant, where small stone stacks are built in memory of lost children.

Quiz Time!
Which concept is Osorezan traditionally associated with?
1️⃣ Heaven
2️⃣ Afterlife
3️⃣ Underwater world

💬 Share your thoughts below

☞ Explore Ozoresan
https://aomori-tourism.com/en/feature/detail_76.html

17/06/2026

⚽ Live Screening: Japan 🇯🇵 vs Tunisia 🇹🇳

Don’t miss the match on 21 June at 12:00pm at The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore! Held as part of the SJ60 commemorative initiatives, join fellow supporters and catch the action live ✨

The world's biggest football tournament is coming to The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore ⚽✨

Join us from June to July for live match screenings, themed dining experiences, exciting challenges, exclusive prizes, and unforgettable moments shared with fellow fans hosted in

And that's not all — stay tuned as we unveil more details about our spectacular Grand Finale celebrations at the iconic Capitol Theatre with a special meet & greet session with a former footballing legend.

Save the dates and get ready for a season of football, food, and festivities.

17/06/2026

𝐀 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬! 🖼️🎨🖌️📖

JCC, the Singapore Book Council and the 安曇野ちひろ美術館 Chihiro Art Museum Azumino jointly held a special talk session on 6 June, featuring curator Mr David Liew and artist Ms Priscilla Tey, both from Singapore, and curator Ms Michiko Matsukata from Japan. The event was organised as part of the 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽: 𝗔𝗻 𝗦𝗝𝟲𝟬 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗘𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻, currently ongoing at JCC.

The full-house audience first listened to Ms Matsukata, who joined online from Japan, as she talked about the curation process of the exhibition and highlighted some of the representative Japanese picture book artists that are featured at the exhibition – such as Shigeo Nishimura and Chihiro Iwasaki.

Next, Mr David Liew talked about Singapore’s pioneering illustrator, Ms Kwan Shan Mei, who is also featured in the exhibition. He also introduced the audience to two bilingual books that were specially commissioned to commemorate Japan as the country of Focus at the Asian Festival of Children’s Content in 2016 – the year of SJ50. The two books were co-created by Singaporean and Japanese authors, illustrators including Mr Liew himself, and translators, reflecting cross-cultural storytelling and artistic exchange.

Lastly, Ms Priscilla Tey talked about her process of illustrating picture books and her creative journey from storyboarding to print. She showed some special unpublished sketches from her books “Twitchy Witchy Itch”, “Counting in Dog Years”, as well as her very first book “In-Between Things”, and also gave the audience a sneak peek to her upcoming book “The Vicious Cycle” which will be out in October.

The event left the audience even more interested in picture books, as they lingered at the exhibition after the event to view the prints and books that were on display.

𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽: 𝗔𝗻 𝗦𝗝𝟲𝟬 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗘𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻 is currently ongoing at JCC until 20 June. For more details, please visit https://www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp/JCC/invite_picture_book_2026.html

16/06/2026

Join West Winds this coming Sunday 21 Jun 2026 for an extraordinary evening celebrating the richness, beauty, and innovation of Japanese music.

Under the batons of renowned guest conductors and composers 𝐘𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐈𝐭𝐨 and 𝐄𝐢𝐣𝐢 𝐒𝐮𝐳𝐮𝐤𝐢, 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝟐 promises a memorable musical journey where tradition and contemporary artistry come together.

Get your Ticket through SISTIC now!

09/06/2026

📢Ｗe are thrilled to share a video message commemorating SJ60 from Kazuki Tsubasa of the OSK Nippon R***e Company💃✨

OSK 日本歌劇団の翼和希さんから、SJ60へのお祝いのメッセージが届いております！💃✨

#翼和希

08/06/2026

🌲🌋 A lake shaped by fire and time

Nestled between Aomori and Akita, Lake Towada is a double caldera lake shaped by ancient volcanic activity. The surrounding forest trails of Oirase Gorge completes its tranquil landscape. These photos were taken by our staff, offering a personal glimpse into the lake’s seasonal beauty.

💧 Quiz time!
Which river flows out of Lake Towada?

1️⃣ Oirase River
2️⃣ Shinano River
3️⃣ Mogami River

💬 Drop your guess below!

☞ Find out more about Lake Towada
https://aomori-tourism.com/en/spot/detail_335.html

03/06/2026

Ambassador Ishikawa Hiroshi and Madam Ishikawa Yuko attended the Charity Tea Gathering “Enjoying the Furo”on 24 May, held at the Tea Room of The Japanese Association, Singapore　　シンガポール日本人会 organized by Chado Urasenke Tankokai Singapore Association.

During the gathering, a hanging scroll with the inscription “葉々起清風”written by Sen Sōsh*tsu XV, who passed away last year at the age of 102, was displayed and appreciated by guests. The inscription is from the “Xutang Record”: when sending off a friend, the wind shakes the bamboo, and the rustling sound of its leaves sends a refreshing parting gift. This phrase signifies an exchange of pure hearts and resonates with the “共想” spirit of SJ60, the 60th anniversary of Singapore-Japan diplomatic relations.

03/06/2026

JCC Director Kawabe Akiko attended the opening of the exhibition,「 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 」𝗯𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗬𝘂𝗸𝗶 𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗮, as a Guest-of-Honour on 14 May.

Organised by and held at their Armenian Street location, the exhibition features works by Mr Yuki Nara, who comes from the celebrated Ohi-yaki lineage, a distinguished pottery tradition with a history of more than 350 years in Kanazawa, Japan. The artist himself was also present at the opening, and he talked about his work and his joy at having his works displayed in Singapore.

In her opening speech, Director Kawabe talked about how Mr Nara, who is also an accomplished architect, brought a remarkable blend of traditional Japanese technique and contemporary artistic expression to his ceramic work. As this exhibition is part of the commemorative events, she also expressed how exhibitions like these create opportunities for Singaporeans to discover and engage with Japanese art and culture, in turn nurturing ties of friendship between Singapore and Japan.

「 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 」𝗯𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗬𝘂𝗸𝗶 𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗮 is supported by JCC and is currently ongoing until 17 July. For more information, please visit https://www.loygallery.com/yukinara