The year 2017 will mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland. As part of the preparations for this year of friendship, a public competition was held to select the official anniversary logo. 

Selected out of the 548 entries submitted, the winning design was created by Mr Peter McBride, a graphic designer and photographer who lives in Dublin. The “Harp-Sun” logo symbolises Japan (Sun) and Ireland (Harp) in equal harmony, united to represent solidarity. The Sakura growing beautifully between the shamrocks on the pillar of the harp represents the Irish welcome of the growth of Japanese culture. Likewise, the Irish harp leaning confidently against the Sun represents the strong support shown by Japan towards Ireland. Mr McBride will be awarded an economy class return air ticket between Dublin and Tokyo (in either direction) by the London Office of Japan Airlines (JAL), in association with the Embassy of Ireland in Japan.

Mr McBride said, “I’m excited and very happy that my logo has been chosen to celebrate this special anniversary. I’ve always had an interest in Eastern cultures but I’ve never had an opportunity to visit Japan. I’m very much looking forward to visiting Japan, taking lots of photographs and learning more about Japanese culture.”

The members of the selection panel were Mrs Mari Miyoshi, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, Ms Anne Barrington, Ambassador of Ireland to Japan, representatives of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and two external experts (from Japan and Ireland).

The logo will be used throughout 2017 in all communication regarding activities associated with the anniversary. Officially recognised events will be entitled to use the official title “Commemorative event of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland” and the logo in all publicity materials.

Mrs Mari Miyoshi, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, commented, “Thank you all very much for submitting so many applications. The 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Japan is an important turning point for both countries (known as Kanreki in Japan, 60th birthdays mark the end of the traditional 60-year calendar cycle and a return to the year of your birth).  I’m sure the competition has raised awareness of the upcoming anniversary among Irish people”, and continued, “We hope a lot of people will use the logo, applying for event endorsement throughout 2017.”

Ms Anne Barrington, Ambassador of Ireland to Japan, echoed these sentiments, “It was really wonderful to see the enormous interest in this competition in Japan and in Ireland.  The 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two great countries will mark the beginning of a new chapter of ever closer relations between us.  The winning logo will help us to set the tone for the next 60 years.”

A series of events is being planned to commemorate this milestone, as well as to deepen the existing positive relationship between the two countries.

Further information about the 60th anniversary as well as the commemorative event endorsement procedure, is now available on the dedicated webpage of the Embassy’s website: http://www.ie.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/00_000326.html, and on the website of the Embassy of Ireland in Japan: https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/japan/.

To stay updated with the latest information on the 60th anniversary events, please follow us on the Embassy of Japan’s newly launched Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Embassy-of-Japan-in-Ireland-1766905626925233/.

THE 26TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING FOR THE IRELAND JAPAN ASSOCIATION WILL TAKE PLACE ON MONDAY 21ST MARCH 2016 AT 4PM AT THE AIB BANKCENTRE, BALLSBRIDGE.

PLEASE FIND THE AGM AGENDA SHOULD YOU WISH ATTEND.

MEMBERS UPDATE: COUNCIL NOMINATION 

·        Ms. Darina Nakagawa has agreed to be nominated for a term as Chairperson
·        Mr. Yasuyuki Ozeki has agreed to be nominated for another term as Vice-Chairperson

Under the constitution, all Ordinary Council Members may be re-elected but may not hold office for more than three consecutive years. This year there are four Council Members:
•    Mr. Paul Murray cannot stand for election because he cannot hold office for more than three consecutive years
•    Ms. Darina Nakagawa cannot stand for election because she cannot hold office for more than three consecutive years
•    Mr. Alan Long cannot stand for election because he cannot hold office for more than three consecutive years
•    Mr. Yuichi Asada cannot stand for election because he cannot hold office for more than three consecutive years
Further, Ms. Nora O’Donnell will not run for the Council Member for the next term.

Under the constitution, we are required to have a minimum of 3 Individual Council Members and 6 Corporate Member representatives, so we encourage new nominations.

Confirmation of attendance to the AGM and nomination forms should be received by COB on Friday 11th March 2016.

Please note that you need to be a fully paid-up member to vote and attend the AGM. Please email us (info@ija.ie) if you would like to attend the AGM on March 21st. Email ALICE ORR to receive the Nomination Forms for out-going/in-coming council members (available to IJA Members Only).

‘Hanami’, or flower viewing, is the centuries old Japanese custom of families and groups all over Japan coming together to enjoy springtime viewing of the beautiful ‘Sakura’, or cherry blossoms. This is the sixth time for the Japanese community in Ireland to celebrate ‘Hanami’ and the ‘Sakura’ in the beautiful gardens of Farmleigh House and Estate in Dublin’s Phoenix Park with the people of Dublin and Ireland.

Ireland’s ‘Hanami’ takes place this year between 12.00 and 16.00 on Sunday, 12 April 2015. All media are kindly invited to visit Farmleigh to get photos and videos of dignitaries and the main performances. Highlights are as follows (times may vary):

12.15 – “Fusion of Japanese and Irish music” with Sean Whelan and Philip Horan

13.20 – “Dance of the Cherry Trees” by John Spillane

14.50 – Official Opening and Sake Barrel Opening Ceremony with Cllr Christy Burke, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mr Simon Harris, TD, Minister of State, and Mr Chihiro Atsumi, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland

15.15 – Fusion of Irish dance and Japanese taiko drum performances (with Olive Hurley Dance Troupe and Japanese School Children)

Detailed information on the programme is available in the attached List of Events.  Media are requested to include the following captions when using any of the attached photographs:

Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4: Paul Kelly Photography No. 5: Fennell Photography

Throughout the spring, Experience Japan will feature a series of academic seminars on aspects of Japan on Sunday, 19 (Chester Beatty Library) and Tuesday, 21 April (Dublin City Council, Wood Quay), as well as a Young Adult Seminar Series on Sunday, 26 April (Chester Beatty Library).

Mr Chihiro Atsumi, Ambassador of Japan said, “It gives me great pleasure that Experience Japan is now in its sixth year of existence. It has grown into the largest regular annual event celebrating Japanese culture in Ireland”, and continued, “Ireland and Japan enjoy very close political and economic ties, but our cultural links are equally important. For evidence of this, you only have to see how Experience Japan has expanded every year, with the help and support of everyone with an interest in Japan. I very much hope that our two countries will continue to grow closer this year too”.

Ms Anne Barrington, Ambassador of Ireland to Japan said “As relations between Ireland and Japan grow from strength to strength it is wonderful to see the work being done by the Experience Japan Festival in extending and developing the cultural and other links between our two countries”, and continued “Best wishes to all attending the Experience Japan Festival 2015!”

Experience Japan is run with the support of the Office of Public Works in Farmleigh, Dublin City Council (DCC), the Chester Beatty Library (CBL), Dublin City University (DCU), University College Dublin (UCD) and the Embassy of Japan in Ireland. Its sponsors include the Ireland Japan Association (IJA) and the Japan Business Society in Ireland.

For latest information see below:

Website: www.ExperienceJapan.ie

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Experience-Japan/364831154258

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExpJapan

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeiMSdq8hnf83YDapC9bnzQ