JCC (Japan Creative Centre)

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 She showed some special unpublished sketches from her books “Twitchy Witchy Itch”, “Counting in Dog Years”, as well as her very first book “In-Between Things”, and also gave the audience a sneak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

🎬🌊 𝐉𝐂𝐂 𝐂𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐚 𝟗𝟗: 𝐏𝐨𝐧𝐲𝐨 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐟 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚 (𝐆) 🐠💙

Catch 𝐏𝐨𝐧𝐲𝐨 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐟 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚, a beloved Studio Ghibli masterpiece by Hayao Miyazaki, on the big screen this June Holidays before school starts! 🍿🎥

📅 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: Sunday, 28 June 2026
⏰ 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 2:00 PM (Registration starts at 1:30 PM)
📍 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞: Our Tampines Hub – Festive Arts Theatre

🎟️ 𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄! Registration is required:
https://www2.contact.mofa.go.jp/form/pub/sg-emb-japan/jcc_cinema_99

ℹ️ For more information:
https://www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp/JCC/invite_jcc_cinema_99.html

💙🌊 Bring your family and friends for an unforgettable cinematic adventure with Ponyo! 🐠✨

15/06/2026

【19th Japan International MANGA Award Winners – Feature 15 of 15】
【第19回日本国際漫画賞受賞作品の紹介⑮】

This story of a caged bird captured our hearts, and we can’t recommend it enough. Last and best, we proudly introduce “Winged,” the Gold Award🥇 winner in 2025. Set your own dreams free and apply for the 20th Japan International MANGA Award, applications closing soon on June 30. https://www.manga-award.mofa.go.jp/en/application/20/index.html

【Title】 Winged
【Artist】 Laica Chrose (Brazil)
【Story】 An ornamental dove is freed from her gilded cage by a crow haunted by the loss of his clan to humans. Together they journey through the outside world confronting her belief she is a burden and his fear of failure, in search of what freedom truly means.

👉A 15-page sample is available here! (In Japanese)
https://www.manga-award.mofa.go.jp/pdf/award19th/Winged.pdf

第19回日本国際漫画賞最優秀賞に輝いた「風来烏と籠入り娘」は、読者の心を掴んで離さない作品です。皆さんの夢を自由に羽ばたかせて、第20回日本国際漫画賞にご応募ください！応募締め切りは6月30日(火)です。
https://www.manga-award.mofa.go.jp/application/20/index.html　

【題名】 風来烏と籠入り娘（ふうらいガラスとかごいりむすめ）
【作者】 Laica Chrose （黒瀬來華）（ブラジル）
【あらすじ】 人間によって一族を失った悲しみ抱えるカラスによって、金色の鳥かごから、観賞用のハトが解放される。ふたりは共に外の世界へと旅に出る。自分は誰かの重荷になるだけだという彼女の思い込みと、失敗を恐れる彼の心と向き合いながら、本当の自由とは何かを探し求めて。

👉冒頭15ページ公開中です！
https://www.manga-award.mofa.go.jp/pdf/award19th/Winged.pdf

© Laica Chrose

14/06/2026

[ ] 晴れ女/晴れ男 (Hareonna/Hareotoko)
Refers to a person who seems to bring sunny weather wherever they go even when rain is forecasted. Conversely, people also jokingly refer to themselves as 雨女/雨男 (ame onna / ame otoko)- someone who seems to attract rainy weather!

13/06/2026

梅雨寒 (Tsuyuzamu) refers to unexpectedly chilly weather during Japan's rainy season. Although June is usually associated with warmer temperatures, rainy and cloudy days can sometimes feel surprisingly cool.

This year, many parts of Japan have continued to experience cooler days even after entering June, so it's a good idea to check the weather forecast before visiting Japan!

12/06/2026

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 - 𝐓𝐎𝐊𝐔𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐌𝐀 🌀

✨ Did you know that one of the largest dance festivals in Japan is located in Tokushima?

Unlock Tokushima’s charms with the 49th SSEAYP participants during their Japanese homestay programme - part of an exciting journey by Southeast Asian and Japanese youths to broaden their perspective on the world and nurture life-long international friendships 🛳🌎🤝

11/06/2026

【19th Japan International MANGA Award Winners – Feature 14 of 15】
【第19回日本国際漫画賞受賞作品の紹介⑭】

“Quarter Life Crisis” won the Silver Award🥈 last year, earning praise like “a masterpiece” and “outstanding.” You too can escape into a fantasy world for a little while as you read it, but you can’t escape the deadline for the 20th Japan International MANGA Award! Submit your entry by June 30. https://www.manga-award.mofa.go.jp/en/application/20/index.html

【Title】 Quarter Life Crisis
【Artist】 Meeda (Saudi Arabia)
【Story】 Amal, a young lady in her mid-twenties, escapes reality in her virtual fantasy world to distract herself from her family and societal pressure to find a husband before her 25th birthday. How is she going to face the challenges between both worlds?

👉A 15-page sample is available here! (In Japanese)
https://www.manga-award.mofa.go.jp/pdf/award19th/Quarter_Life_Crisis.pdf

本日ご紹介するのは、第19回日本国際漫画賞優秀賞作品🥈の「クオーター・ライフ・クライシス」です。第19回日本国際漫画賞審査委員に「卓越した傑作」と絶賛されました。読んでいる間は少しファンタジーの世界に逃げ込むことができます。しかし第20回日本国際漫画賞の応募締め切りからは、果たして逃げられるでしょうか。6月30日までのご応募、心よりお待ちしております！
https://www.manga-award.mofa.go.jp/application/20/index.html

【題名】 クオーター・ライフ・クライシス
【作者】 Meeda（サウジアラビア）
【あらすじ】 20代半ばの若い女性アマルは、25歳の誕生日までに結婚相手を見つけるようにという家族や社会からのプレッシャーから目を背けるため、バーチャルなファンタジーの世界に現実逃避する。彼女は現実と仮想、ふたつの世界の狭間で立ちはだかる試練にどう向き合っていくのか？

👉冒頭15ページ公開中です！
https://www.manga-award.mofa.go.jp/pdf/award19th/Quarter_Life_Crisis.pdf

© Manga Arabia

11/06/2026

【19th Japan International MANGA Award Winners – Feature 13 of 15】
【第19回日本国際漫画賞受賞作品の紹介⑬】

Described by a judge as “meticulously layered,” today we feature the dark horror Silver Award-winning🥈 “Bống Bống Bang Bang.” Could you resist the temptation? How about the temptation to apply to the 20th Japan International MANGA Award, currently accepting submissions until June 30? https://www.manga-award.mofa.go.jp/en/application/20/index.html

【Title】 Bống Bống Bang Bang
【Artist】 Lương Minh Quang / Lang Huynh (Vietnam)
【Original Author】 Vũ Đình Lân （Vietnam）
【Story】 That day, An accidentally discovered a chilling secret about a classmate: beneath the stone bridge, there exists a mysterious force capable of bestowing wealth upon anyone who performs a sacrificial ritual. The more vivid and larger the offering, the greater the reward received. If it were you, where would your limits stop? A frog, a mouse... a chicken? Or even something larger?

👉A 15-page sample is available here! (In Japanese)
https://www.manga-award.mofa.go.jp/pdf/award19th/Bong_Bong_Bang_Bang.pdf

本日は、第19回日本国際漫画賞審査委員から「緻密に積み重ねられた層を持つ作品」と評されたダークホラーの優秀賞🥈「ボンボンバンバン－儀式」をご紹介します。第20回日本国際漫画賞へ応募するという誘惑に、あなたは打ち勝てますか？応募締め切りは6月30日(火)です。
https://www.manga-award.mofa.go.jp/application/20/index.html

【題名】 ボンボンバンバン－儀式
【作者】 Lương Minh Quang / Lang Huynh （ベトナム）
【原作者】 Vũ Đình Lân （ベトナム）
【あらすじ】 あの日、アンは同級生についての背筋も凍るような秘密を偶然知ってしまう。石の橋の下には、生贄の儀式を行う者に対して富を授ける不思議な力が存在していた。捧げ物の生々しさ大きければ大きいほど、得られる報酬も大きくなる。もしあなただったら、どこで限界に達するだろうか？カエル、ネズミ……鶏？それともさらに大きなもの？

👉冒頭15ページ公開中です！
https://www.manga-award.mofa.go.jp/pdf/award19th/Bong_Bong_Bang_Bang.pdf

©Light Comic studio

11/06/2026

𝙅𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚'𝙨 𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙩𝙮🏠

Today, summers in Japan are rivalring the tropical climates like Singapore. At the same time, both countries are facing dual-crises related to the simultaneous phenomena of urban density and shrinkage. Join us at JCC on 23 June for the 𝗦𝗝𝟲𝟬 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶-𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, where the top runners shaping the future of architecture in Japan and Singapore will showcase Japan-born philosophy and practice intersecting with Singapore's urban dynamism.

Today, summers in Japan are rivalring the tropical climates like Singapore. At the same time, both countries are facing dual-crises related to the simultaneous phenomena of urban density and shrinkage — brought about by increasing urbanisation, rapid population aging, skyrocketing housing costs, a...

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