The Japanese Association, Singapore was established more than a century ago in 1915 and reconstituted in 1957. The early objective of the Association was aimed at creating a mutual-aid group to look after one another’s welfare, set up educational facilities, maintain the Japanese cemetery and promote global exchanges.
Besides realizing its original intent, postwar Japanese Association has also been more active in promoting exchange and interactions with the Singapore community. Our new clubhouse is also designed to be culturally oriented to suit this purpose.
One of the objectives of the Japanese Association is to become an international cultural exchange ground for people to meet, chat and relax.
The new clubhouse, officially opened by Deputy Prime Minister BG (NS) Lee Hsien Loong on 23rd May 1998, is a building designed and constructed with a modern exterior while incorporating rich Japanese cultural flair in its interiors.
Complemented by its excellent location along Adam Road, the clubhouse has a built-in area of nearly 8,000 square meters (4 times bigger than the previous location). On a freehold land size of approximately 5,600 square meters, the clubhouse has also been enhanced to provide members with improved services in a cosier setting and a much more pleasant environment. It is a clubhouse that can instil a sense of belonging and pride amongst its members.
With a larger space available, we will be able to better organise our involvements with local charitable activities. More opportunities can also be created for cultural exchange and social interaction on a larger scale between our members and the different communities.
At present we have approximately 4,260 Ordinary Members (Japanese nationals with voting rights) and 484 Associate Members. Only Associate memberships are transferable. We have 685 corporate members. (1 Apr 2024)
We hereby cordially invite you to join us as an Associate Transferable Member!
President for Year 2023
Last year, starting off with the New Year’s Party in January, we were able to hold many events same as pre-pandemic. In February, approximately 200 members of the JAS team participated in the Chingay Parade and received the “Most Outstanding Performance” Award. In July, 15 finalists gave wonderful speeches at the Japanese Speech Contest, and many participated at the JAS Sports Day as there was no restriction on the number of participants for the event. The JAS Summer Festival was held in August at the Japanese Primary School Changi Campus for the first time in 6 years. More than 8,000 visitors, both Singaporeans and Japanese members, came by and enjoyed Bon Odori and other activities. At the Open House in November, we welcomed many Singaporeans to our Clubhouse for charity events. There were many other events like the Second-Hand Book sale, Children’s Day Party, Mid-Autumn Festival, and the Christmas Party were held as well.
Since my appointment as president in April, I participated in all the events, including the Japanese Primary School’s Sports Day and the Shion Festival, and was impressed and invigorated by watching the sincere attitude of the participants and the bursting smiles of the children. I admire the unchanged strength of The Japanese Association, Singapore that passed on even through the pandemic or turnover of members and the effort of volunteers and others who support us.
We are planning many more events to come this year and we hope that all JAS member’s time in Singapore will be more enjoyable through our events and activities.
On another note, it has been 25 years since the completion of our clubhouse and we are planning to have a major renovation work. At the Extraordinary General Meeting held on 20 December last year, the work order and commencement of essential renovation work at the Clubhouse were resolved. There will be renovation work at each facility as well as replacing air conditioning and elevator systems. During the construction period, some facilities may close. Our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused by this work, at the same time, we seek your kind understanding and cooperation during this period of transformation to make our beloved Clubhouse a better place for all members.
Last but not least, I would like to wish you all good health and happiness as well as the Japanese Association, Singapore more prosperity for the New Year. May this year be a good year for all!