About

The Ireland Japan Association is a not-for-profit association run by a team of voluntary council members who aims to ensure the legacy of a long-with-standing bond between two cultures remains active. The IJA is supported by its members which consisit of individual, Ex-Jet Programme participants, Japanese Teachers in Ireland, Corporate & Patron Members. The Ambassador of Japan in Ireland has been the Guest Patron Member since its establishment in 1990.

History of the IJA

The Ireland Japan Association (IJA) was founded in 1990 by the amalgamation of two predecessor organizations, The Ireland Japan Society (IJS) and The Ireland Japan Economic Association (IJEA). The IJS started out as a cultural organization in 1969, and the IJEA was founded in 1974 as a business organization aimed at providing networking and business opportunities for those interested in working between both countries.

IJA Objectives

The objectives of the IJA are to promote greater economic and business ties between Ireland and Japan and to foster mutual understanding between the peoples of both countries, in particular, to encourage and assist in improving the knowledge of the culture of each country within the other. The IJA supports various cultural and educational learning facilities in Ireland for Japanese & Irish children such as the Japanese Saturday Schools and the Japanese Language Teachers in Ireland, who each play a crucial role in educating children in Ireland on Japanese language and culture.

IJA Council

The Association is run by an elected Chairperson, Vice-Chair, and 10-12 corporate and ordinary council members. Election takes place at the Annual General Meeting. The Council meets nine times a year. For more information click here.

Administration

A secretariat is responsible for the administrative and financial functions of the IJA. The accounts are audited annually and presented to the members at the Annual General Meeting, held in March every year.