EU-Japan Centre: 30 years together

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EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation is a unique venture between the European Commission and the Japanese Government. It is a non-profit organisation established as an affiliate of the Institute of International Studies and Training (IIST).

It aims at promoting all forms of industrial, trade and investment cooperation between the EU and Japan and at improving EU and Japanese companies’ competitiveness and cooperation by facilitating exchanges of experience and know-how between EU and Japanese businesses.

EU-Japan Centre is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and have just issued its latest Newsletter to mark this occasion. The publication includes the EU-Japan Centre’s history and milestones, a summary of its current activities and key deliverables as well as a selection of recent industrial reports.

You can read the full Newsletter here: http://www.eu-japan.eu/sites/default/files/publications/docs/october17.pdf

IJA Golf Outing 2017 Results

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This year IJA Annual Golf Outing took place on 5th October in beautiful Milltown Golf Club, Dublin. We would like to thank all the teams who participated and send a special congratulations to the winners – SuMi Trust Team who have won the Cup for the second year in a row!

The list of winners:

1st place & winners of the IJA Golf Cup 2017 – SuMi Trust Team 

  • Colm Geary 
  • Peter Callaghan
  • Karl Purcell
  • David Carroll

1st place & winners of the IJA Golf Cup 2017 – SuMi Trust Team

2nd place – Dillon Eustace Team 

  • Shane Geraghty 
  • Ross McCormack 
  • Conor MacGuinness 
  • Shane Coman

2nd place – Dillon Eustace Team

3rd place – Bank of Ireland Team 1

  • Dan O’Donnell 
  • Liam Mernane 
  • David Carthy 
  • Rory Mullen

3rd place – Bank of Ireland Team 1

 4th place – Bank of Ireland Team 2

  • Derek Collins 
  • Kevin Dempsey 
  • Gerry Burke 
  • Barry O’Neill

4th place – Bank of Ireland Team 2

Congratulations to all teams again and we look forward to our Golf Outing 2018 next year!

 

Lecture by Prof. Aaron Moore: The Crucible of East Asia: War Diaries and the Making of China & Japan, 1937-45

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The UCD Japan Fair is drawing to a close and we would like to invite you to attend the last session taking place today, Thursday 12th October at 6pm at O’Brien Science Centre, Belfield Campus.

The final keynote lecture will be given by Prof. Aaron Moore on ‘The Crucible of East Asia: War Diaries and the Making of China & Japan, 1937-45‘
 
Date: Thursday, 12th October
Time: 6 p.m.
Venue: Moore Theatre, UCD O’Brien Science Centre, D4 Belfield Campus
Cost: Free entrance
***
Prof Moore is the newly appointed Handa Chair of Japanese-Chinese Relations at the University of Edinburgh. He is widely recognized as a scholar who is breaking new ground, a prolific author, and an excellent presenter.
 
His research has focused on the comparative study of life writing among soldiers, children and youth, and civilians during times of war in China, Japan, Russia, and Britain. These documents include published, self-published, and manuscript diaries, letters, and memoirs, as well as crafts, drawings, and material objects. He is currently co-writing a book with Seth Jacobowitz (Yale University) on Japanese popular science, science fiction, and detective novels from the Meiji Period to WWII. His first monograph, Writing War (Harvard University Press, 2013), was a finalist for the RHS Gladstone Prize, and his second book, Bombing the City, which concerns civilian narratives of air raids in Britain and Japan, is to be published by Cambridge University Press at the end of 2017.
***
More information and registration for the event here!

‘Finnair’ Announces Sale Price of €599

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Published Fare Campaign Selling period from 22nd Aug to 14th Oct 2017 From Dublin

Destinations Fares Travel Period

 

TOKYO (TYO), OSAKA (OSA) & NAGOYA (NAG) 599 € 29.10.2017 – 14.12.2017                 
TOKYO (TYO), OSAKA (OSA) & NAGOYA (NAG) 599 € 26.12.2017 – 14.03.2018  
TOKYO (TYO), OSAKA (OSA),

NAGOYA (NAG) &  FUKUOKA (FUK)*

 599 € 02.04.2018 – 31.05.2018                 
Destinations   T-Class

Fares

 Travel Period
TOKYO (TYO), OSAKA (OSA) & NAGOYA (NAG) 999 € 29.10.2017 – 14.12.2017       
TOKYO (TYO), OSAKA (OSA) & NAGOYA (NAG) 999 € 26.12.2017 – 14.03.2018
TOKYO (TYO), OSAKA (OSA),

NAGOYA (NAG) &  FUKUOKA (FUK)*

 999 € 02.04.2018 – 31.05.2018       
Destinations   I-Class

Fares

 Travel Period
TOKYO (TYO), OSAKA (OSA) & NAGOYA (NAG) 2399 € 29.10.2017 – 14.12.2017       
TOKYO (TYO), OSAKA (OSA) & NAGOYA (NAG) 2399 € 26.12.2017 – 14.03.2018
TOKYO (TYO), OSAKA (OSA),

NAGOYA (NAG) &  FUKUOKA (FUK)*

 2399 € 02.04.2018 – 31.05.2018 

 *  Fukuoka service starts on 26.04.2018

Conditions:

Openjaw:                Permitted

Combinability:         With any AY/BA/JL/IB fare

Minimum stay:        Q-class & T-Class: 5 days or First Sunday after departure

I-Class: 3 days

Maximum stay:        12 months

Changes:                Q-Class: anytime permitted with €180

T-Class: anytime permitted with €150

I-Class: anytime permitted with €200

Cancellations:         Q-Class: anytime Non refundable

T-Class: Before dep EUR 150, after dep Non refundable

I-Class: Before dep EUR 200, after dep Non refundable

Stopover:                Q-Class & T-Class: EUR 75 each, 1 in EUR and 1 In JPN each direction

I-Class: FOC each, 1 in EUR and 1 In JPN each direction

Ticket time limit:      3 days after reservation
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Writer Lafcadio Hearn’s Great-Grandson Honoured by Japanese Foreign Minister

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Mr. Bon Koizumi. Photo: Embassy of Japan in Ireland

On 30 July 2017, Mrs. Mari Miyoshi, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, presented the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation to Mr. Bon Koizumi and Mrs. Shoko Koizumi for their outstanding contribution to the mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Ireland.

Mr. Bon Koizumi is the great-grandson of the writer and translator Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904), perhaps “Japan’s best-known Irishman” (John Moran) who was born on Lefkada Island, Greece, to an Irish military surgeon and a Greek mother. He is also known as Yakumo Koizumi in Japan where he found a home, married Setsu Koizumi, the daughter of a Matsue samurai, became a citizen and wrote 14 books on cultural subjects.

Bon and his wife Mrs. Shoko Koizumi have been introducing the life and works of Lafcadio Hearn to countries around the world including Japan, Ireland, and Greece since 1990. Hearn’s understanding of Japanese culture and his ‘open-minded’ spirit helped many to nurture mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Ireland.  As board members of the Sanin Japan-Ireland Association, Mr. and Mrs. Koizumi have been involved with various activities for the purpose of not only publicising Bon’s great-grandfather but also introducing Irish culture to Japan.  Matsue City, where Lafcadio Hearn used to live, has a strong relationship with Dublin, often exchanging reciprocal visits.

At the presentation ceremony, Ambassador Miyoshi said, “I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Koizumi for their outstanding contributions to deepening the mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Ireland over the last decades”, and continued, “On this occasion of the 60th anniversary of Japan-Ireland diplomatic relations, it gives me great pleasure to award the Foreign Minister’s Commendation to Mr. and Mrs. Koizumi’’. Mr. Masuo Nishibayashi, Ambassador of Japan to Greece, also sent Mr. and Mrs. Koizumi a congratulatory message.

Mr. and Mrs. Koizumi commented, “It is an honour for us to accept this award for our activities. We are grateful for the support of the Japanese Embassy in building bridges of understanding and friendship between Ireland and Japan”.

Finnair joins IJA as a Corporate member and offers shortest route between Europe and Asia

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The Ireland Japan Association (IJA) is delighted to welcome one of the leading European airlines – Finnair – on board IJA as a Corporate member and is looking forward to a long lasting and successful cooperation promoting links between Ireland and Japan.

Flying from Dublin Airport via Helsinki, Finnair offers the geographically shortest route, smooth and uncongested transits, and straighter flights that generate fewer emissions between more than 70 European destinations and 17 Asian megacities.

The travel time with Finnair from Dublin Airport to Tokyo is 14hr 30 mins, Dublin to Hong Kong is 13hrs 25 mins and Dublin to Beijing is 13hrs 30 mins to mention but a few saving passengers between four to five hours on other airlines connections from Dublin Airport.

Finnair flies to four destinations in Japan: Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka (27/4/17-28/10/17), six destinations in China: Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing, Xian and Guangzhou. Finnair also fly to Singapore, Seoul, Bangkok and Delhi. Finnair fly direct to Krabi Phuket and Goa (new service) in the Winter season (Nov-Mar).

For more information of Finnair go to www.finnair.ie
Telephone: +353 (0)1 695 0015 (local network charge)
Open: Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Sat-Sun and public holidays 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

 

 

JEC Fund offers grants for various projects

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The Japan World Exposition 1970 Commemorative Fund (JEC Fund) has announced their new grant programme that offers support to projects in various fields such as international cultural exchange, international goodwill, academic study, education, and so forth.

The JEC Fund was established with a part of the revenue from the Japan World Exposition held in 1970 under the cooperation of domestic and international organizations and enterprises with many exhibitor countries across the world. Since its establishment in 1971, the Fund has been carrying out its grant projects only by using its investment income of the Fund without any financial assistance from the government.

The Grant is offered to domestic and international activities of the following categories:

1. Activities contributing to promotion of international mutual understanding

  • Projects contributing to international cultural exchange and international goodwill
  • International projects in the fields of academic study, education, social welfare, medical care, and hygiene and public health
  • International projects designed for conservation of nature and the human environment

2. Cultural activities

  • Projects contributing to the handing down and promotion of Japanese traditional culture
  • Projects related to arts and local culture

In 2014, the JEC Fund pledged to provide financial assistance up to 6,000,000 Yen to Waterford County Council for the “Koizumi Yakumo Memorial Garden” project. The garden was officially opened in 2015.

In 2016, the JEC Fund provided 1,000,000 Yen to bring an exhibition of Tomoko Sawada artwork to the MART Gallery in Rathmines.

In 2017, it provided 250,000 Yen for the ‘Silent Film Live Show’ at the Chester Beatty Library  and 600,000 Yen for a seminar at Trinity College.

Deadline for application submission is between 1 August and 2 October 2017.

For more information please see the website here!

Half-Century in Dublin: Memoirs of Yoshiko Ushioda

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Caring for Japanese Art at the Chester Beatty Library is a memoir of Yoshiko Ushioda (translated by Etsuko Kanamori), looking back at more than five decades of life in Dublin.

The story begins in 1960, when she traveled from Tokyo with her young son to join her husband, a research-fellow at University College Dublin. Beginning as a volunteer at the Chester Beatty Library in 1970, she would go on to become curator and accompany masterpieces loaned by The Chester Beatty Library to special exhibitions all around the world. Both inspiring and heartfelt, Mrs. Ushioda’s memoir will be of interest to both lovers of Japanese Art and those interested in Irish-Japanese relations.

Yoshiko Ushioda was born in 1931 in Mito, Japan, and moved to Dublin in 1960. In 1970, she began volunteering at the Chester Beatty Library, and was promoted to curator of the Japanese Arts Collection in 1980. She retired in 1996, and currently lives in Dublin with her huband. Mrs. Ushioda is also a founder member of Ireland Japan Association.

Etsuko Kanamori was born in 1959 in Nagasaki and has worked as an interpreter and translator for Ericsson Japan, Fukuoka, Shin-Yokohama and Yokosuka Research Park. She currently lives in Dalkey, Ireland.

The book can be pre-ordered here!

 

Japanese pianist Satoko Inoue on tour in Ireland

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This summer is bringing lots of amazing Japanese talent to Ireland and we are delighted to announce the concert tour of renowned Japanese pianist Satoko Inoue in three concerts taking place across Ireland this June.

Concerts will be focusing on classical music and music of living composers from Ireland and Japan, celebrating the links between Ireland and Japan with four new works written specially for these concerts featuring pianist and speaker. All the texts (ghost stories and folk tales) are by Lafcadio Hearn/Koizumi Yakumo.

Concerts in Ireland:
Friday 23rd June | 8PM | Regional Cultural Cente, Letterkenny (Tickets – €10 / €5 at door)
  • C.P.E. Bach (from ‘Die sechs Sammlungen von Sanaten, freien Fantasien und Rondos für Kenner und Liebhaber’)
  • Fantasia Ⅰ (Fünfte Sammlung)
  • Rondo Ⅱ (Dritte Sammlung)
  • Claude Debussy – Clair de lune
  • Toru Takemitsu – Rain Tree Sketch 1 (1982)
  • Yuji Itoh – Yuruginaki-Kokoro (2011)
  • John McLachlan – Nuance (2003)
  • Jean-Luc Darbellay – Ciel étoilé (2014)
  • Paul Hayes – Lost in Baha (2001)
  • World premieres with texts from Lafcadio Hearn
    – John McLachlan – Fragment (2016)
    – Paul Hayes – The Second Heaven of Desire in Old Tramore (2016)

Sunday 25th June | 12PM | Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin (Admission Free)

  • Diana Rotaru (1981-) – Prélude Parisien no.1 DEBUMESSQUISSE (2007)
  • Akemi Naito (1956-) – Rain, Calling Autumn (1994)
  • Yuji Itoh (1956-) – Yuruginaki-Kokoro (2011)
  • Jo Kondo (1947-) – Interlude (2017)
  • Paul Hayes (1951-) – 27th January 1995 (1995)
  • David Rosenboom (1947-) – Kicking Shadows (2007)
  • John McLachlan (1964-) – Fragment (after Lafcadio Hearn) (2017)

Tuesday 27th June | 8PM | Large Room, City Hall, Waterford City (Tickets €10 / €5 at door)

  • Toru Takemitsu – Rain Tree Sketch 1 (1982)
  • Satoshi Tanaka – Oracle (2011)
  • Akemi Naito – UBAZAKURA (2017) – world premiere
  • Yuji Itoh – The Reconciliation (2017) – world premiere
  • The Lafcadio Hearn pieces – Speaker John McLachlan
  • John McLachlan – Fragment (after Lafcadio Hearn) (2016)
  • Paul Hayes – The Second Heaven of Desire in Old Tramore (2017)

Lafcadio Hearn, known also by the Japanese name Koizumi Yakumo, was an Irish writer, known best for his books about Japan, especially his collections of Japanese legends and ghost stories.

Pianist Satoko Inoue is renowned throughout Japan, Europe and in United States as a leading interpreter of contemporary solo piano music. She has premiered works by some of Japan’s foremost composers including Jo Kondo, Yori-aki Matsudaira, Yoritsune Matsudaira, and Toshi Ichiyanagi. She is well-known for playing Jo Kondo’s complete piano works and performing works of other contemporary composers such as Toru Takemitsu, John Cage, Morton Feldman, Henry Cowell, Luciano Berio, Giacinto Scelsi, Luc Ferrari, Doina Rotaru, and others.

Besides performing in Japan, Satoko Inoue has performed in major European festivals including Darmstadt, the International Experimental Music Festival in Bourges, and had solo recitals in Bucharest, Bern and Buenos Aires. She has featured in solo concerts in the US, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Ireland, Turkey, Romania, Egypt, and Argentina. She has recorded three solo CDs and has further CDs on the labels Edition Hundertmark (Germany), Emec Discos (Spain), and ALM Records (Japan). Inoue is also Associate Professor at the Kunitachi College of Music in Tokyo.

Satoko’s tour is part of the events celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland.

Invest Japan Seminar – Rising Opportunities 60 Years On

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2017 marks the 60th anniversary of the Ireland-Japan diplomatic relationship and this is an important year to enhance further economic ties between the two countries. On 1st June 2017, JETRO organized Invest Japan Seminar in Dublin as one of the events to commemorate this momentous occasion.

Mr. Toshihiko Sakaguchi, Director General JETRO London, gave the opening speech and welcomed Japanese Ambassador to Ireland H.E. Mrs. Mari Miyoshi, the guest speakers and all the attendees to the seminar.

Invest Japan Seminar

Mr. Toshihiko Sakaguchi, Director General JETRO London

Japanese Ambassador to Ireland H.E. Mrs. Mari Miyoshi welcomed all participants to the seminar and encouraged to explore the possibilities offered to Irish businesses in Japan.

Invest Japan Seminar

Japanese Ambassador to Ireland H.E. Mrs. Mari Miyoshi

The keynote speech on economic outlook and business opportunities in Japan was given by Mr. Koji Yonetani, Executive Vice President, JETRO.

Invest Japan Seminar

Mr. Koji Yonetani, Executive Vice President, JETRO

The audience was introduced to a number of presentations given by:

Invest Japan Seminar

Mr. R​aymond Hegarty, IP Strategist and IJA Council Member led a panel discussion with all the speakers giving the audience an opportunity to ask questions and exchange opinions and experience about business environment in Japan.

Invest Japan Seminar

The event concluded with non formal networking while enjoying delicious Japanese canapes and sake.

Ireland Japan Association would like to thank Japanese Ambassador to Ireland H.E. Mrs. Mari Miyoshi, the guest speakers and everyone who attended the seminar, and we look forward seeing you at future events!

Invest Japan seminar was organized by JETRO and supported by Ireland Japan Association, Embassy of Japan in Ireland and Enterprise Ireland.

More photos from the event are here!