ALPS Electric Ireland Ltd. join the IJA as a Corporate member

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Ireland Japan Association is delighted to welcome ALPS Electric Ireland Ltd., a leading global manufacturer of electronic devices, on board the IJA as a Corporate member, and we are looking forward to a long lasting and successful cooperation.

ALPS Electric (Ireland) Ltd. is a subsidiary of The Alps Alpine Group, delivering products and services of an excellent standard to customers worldwide.
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Alps Alpine prides itself in “perfecting the art of electronics” through its electronic components, and mobile media solutions, head a global network of over 190 group companies.

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ALPS Electric (Ireland) Ltd. was founded in Millstreet Town, County Cork in 1988. Manufacturing is dedicated to Automotive Customers, IoT Technology and White Goods. Our main markets are in Europe under the corporate Made-In-Market philosophy.’’ – John Foley, Managing Director, ALPS Electric (Ireland) Ltd.

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Today ALPS Electric (Ireland) Ltd. employs over 400 people in Millstreet Town. The Facility has 56,000 square feet of world class manufacturing space which houses SMT, Moulding, Decorative Parts Painting and Laser Marking capabilities and various Final Assembly processes. Production processes are highly automated by ALPS Electric (Ireland) Ltd. own engineers.
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ALPS Electric (Ireland) Ltd. is certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and IATF 16949 and holds quality awards from Jaguar Landrover and Volvo.

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If you wish to learn more about ALPS Electric and services they provide, please visit their website or visit ALPS Electric profile on LinkedIn  and YouTube!

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Legacies of the Atomic Bombing: Hiroshima Nagasaki Atomic Bomb

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You are kindly invited to attend the exhibition ‘Legacies of the Atomic Bombing: Hiroshima Nagasaki Atomic Bomb’ hosted by the UCD Centre for Japanese Studies.
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The poster exhibition will be on display in the UCD Student Centre from 20th February to 1st March.
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Dates: 20th February – 1st March 2024
Venue: UCD Student Centre, Belfield Campus, Clonskeagh, Dublin 4
Admission: Free
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Rotary Peace Fellowships | Apply Now!

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Each year, the Rotary Peace Fellowship programme offers 50 fully-funded scholarships for Masters studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution to people in the early stages of their career and 80 fully-funded scholarships for Certificate studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution for people in mid-career.
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Through academic training, practice, and global networking opportunities, the Rotary Peace Centers program develops the capacity of peace and development professionals to become effective catalysts for peace. The fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and internship and field-study expenses.
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Since the program began in 2002, the Rotary Peace Centers have trained more than 1,700 fellows who now work in over 140 countries. Many serve as leaders in governments; NGOs; education and research institutions; peacekeeping and law enforcement agencies; and international organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank.
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Master’s degree programs

Accepted candidates study peace and development issues with research-informed teaching and a diverse student body. The programs last 15 to 24 months and include a two- to three-month field study, which participants design themselves.

Learn more!

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Professional development certificate program

During the one-year blended learning program, experienced peace and development professionals with diverse backgrounds gain practical skills to promote peace within their communities and regions. Fellows complete field studies and design and carry out a social change initiative. This program is intended for working professionals. Fellows earn a post-graduate diploma upon completion of the program.

Learn more!

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Application timeline

The Rotary Peace Fellowship application is now open!

The 2025-26 Rotary Peace Fellowship application is available online through 15 May 2024.

If you know a potential candidate, use our referral form so they can receive more information.

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For more information: https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/peace-fellowships

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INFORMATION SEMINAR

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A mini-seminar ‘Rotary Peace Centres’ on Tuesday, 19th March, will provide the opportunity to hear about the programme through presentations, discussion and Q&A. To register, please contact: ingrid.berget@gmail.com.

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Is Hiroshima Still Radioactive? Nuclear Explosions & The Environment | Japan Seminar Series

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We invite you to join a seminar ‘Is Hiroshima Still Radioactive? Nuclear explosions & the environment’ organised by our friends at UCD Centre for Japanese Studies in cooperation with Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation and Hiroshima City University.
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Date: Tuesday, 20th February 2024
Time: 5 p.m.
Venue: Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI), 86 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, D02 XY43
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Guest speaker at the event – Professor Robert Jacobs, Hiroshima Peace Institute and Graduate School of Peace Studies, Hiroshima City University.
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To register:
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In Memoriam | Remembering and Honouring Mrs. Yoshiko Ushioda

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The Ireland Japan Association is deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Mrs. Yoshiko Ushioda, a remarkable individual whose impact on our community and the Ireland Japan Association will forever be remembered.

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Mrs. Ushioda was not only a generous supporter of education and fostering understanding and collaboration between Ireland and Japan, but also a beacon of inspiration for all those who were fortunate enough to know her. Her dedication to the cause of education, particularly through the Ushioda Scholarship she so generously sponsored, has left an indelible mark on the lives of countless individuals and students who pursue Japan studies in Ireland and Irish Universities. Her passion for making a positive difference in the world was evident in every action she took.
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It is undeniable that Mrs. Ushioda played a pivotal role in shaping the future of aspiring students through her commitment to fostering education. The scholarship program named after her and her beloved husband served as a source of hope and encouragement for many, opening doors to opportunities that otherwise might have been out of reach.
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During this time of mourning, our thoughts and prayers are with her family and all those who were close to her. While words cannot fully express the sorrow we feel, may we all find solace in the memories of her kindness, generosity, and the lasting impact she had on so many lives.
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Mrs. Ushioda will be deeply missed, and her legacy will continue to live on in the hearts and minds of those she touched.
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Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson
IJA Council
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Warmest Wishes for a Joyous Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

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Dear Members of the Ireland Japan Association,

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As we gather together in the spirit of the season, I extend my heartfelt Christmas greetings to each and every one of you. This time of year is a special opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments and moments we’ve shared as an Association, and to express gratitude for the bonds that connect us.

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In the true spirit of unity and friendship, the Ireland Japan Association has continued to thrive throughout the past year. Our collective efforts have brought us closer together, fostering a sense of community. It is heartening to witness the vibrant exchange of culture, ideas, and camaraderie among our diverse membership.

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Christmas is a time of celebration and reflection, and as we look back on the achievements of the past year, let us also look forward to the promising opportunities that the coming year holds. May the bonds of friendship we have built within our Association continue to strengthen, and may the spirit of collaboration guide us to new heights in the days ahead.

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I would like to express my sincere appreciation to each member of the Ireland Japan Association for your unwavering commitment and enthusiasm. Your dedication has been instrumental in making our Association a beacon of cultural exchange, business, education and friendship.

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May this Christmas be filled with joy, laughter, and moments of togetherness with loved ones. As we bid farewell to the current year and eagerly anticipate the new one, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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With warm regards,
Catherine Grennell-Whyte
IJA Chairperson

IJA Bounenkai End of Year Party 2023 | Photo Gallery

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On 30th November the IJA members and friends joined our annual Bounenkai End of the Year Party which was hosted at one of the most popular and authentic Japanese restaurants in Dublin – Daruma.

Hiro Ino, IJA Council, thanked the guests for their support to the association and invited everyone to enjoy themselves and celebrate the end of the year at Daruma. We were delighted that H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Japanese Ambassador to Ireland, and Ms. Keiko Nakata, Embassy of Japan, joined our Bounenkai celebrations. Ambassador Maruyama addressed event guests and wished everyone a wonderful evening.
Event guests were treated to a traditional Japanese Izakaya style dinner and had the opportunity to taste variety of Japanese sake.
We would like to thank everyone  – our individual and corporate members as well as friends and supporters who attended this event. We appreciate your continued support to the IJA throughout this year, and we are looking forward to many other occasions to meet in 2024!
A very big thanks goes to Hiro Ino, IJA Council, for his time, support and help to make this event such a great success, and the wonderful team at Daruma for hosting our event and making sure everyone had the best time during the evening.
Photos: Tsugumi Yamamoto, Kevin O’Neill

Business Seminar ‘Preparing for the next world EXPO in Osaka, Japan’ | PHOTO GALLERY

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On 11th October, Ireland Japan Association and Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce (IJCC) invited their members to participate in the business seminar ‘Preparing for the next world EXPO in Osaka, Japan’ which was hosted in Dublin by the IJA and IJCC member PwC Ireland.

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Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson and Dominic Keogh, IJCC Director

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The panel of guest speakers included H.E. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, Yushi Tanaka, Executive Advisor to the Japan Association for the 2025 World Expo, John Concannon, Director General, Global Ireland, Department of Foreign Affairs, and Brian O’Brien, Commissioner General for EXPO Osaka, The Department of Foreign Affairs.

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From left: Yushi Tanaka, Executive Advisor to the Japan Association for the 2025 World Expo; John Concannon, Director General, Global Ireland, Department of Foreign Affairs; H.E. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland; Brian O’Brien, Commissioner General for EXPO Osaka, The Department of Foreign Affairs, and moderator Dominic Keogh, IJCC Director.

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Our guest speakers discussed Global Ireland strategy, reviewed the experience at Expo Dubai 2020, and introduced Expo Osaka 2025 sharing the latest information on the Irish Pavilion. Conversations were moderated by Dominic Keogh, IJCC Director. Presentations and discussions were followed by networking opportunities.

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We would like to thank our partners – Dominic Keogh and his team at the IJCC, and our wonderful hosts – Mary Honohan and her team at PwC Ireland for all their support and work to make this event such a great success.

 

This event was organised by:
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This event was supported by:

 

PHOTO GALLERY

(Please click on the image to enlarge it!)

Photos: IJA Council and IJCC archive

IJA launches Japanese Book Club | Join today!

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We are delighted to announce the launch of the IJA Japanese Book Club! Our purpose is to create a vibrant community of book lovers who share a passion for Japanese literature, culture, philosophy, business, history, and more.
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We are dedicated to exploring a diverse range of books each month, engaging in thoughtful discussions, expanding our knowledge, and fostering friendships among members. What’s more, we won’t limit ourselves to just Japanese authors; we’ll also delve into the works of Irish authors with connections to Japan.
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With our official launch scheduled for September, we have conducted two trial runs with a small group of participants during the summer break. It was truly fascinating to see how different perspectives and insights emerge, even when reading the same book. We believe that sharing our reading experiences with others can deepen our understanding and appreciation of literature.
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Wouldn’t you like to be a part of this exciting literary journey with us? Whether you’re a seasoned reader or just starting to explore the world of books, our book club welcomes everyone. Together, we’ll embark on a fascinating exploration of Japanese literature and beyond.
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HOW TO REGISTER
Please let us know if you are interested in joining our book club and send us an email to: info@ija.ie. We look forward to having you as a fellow book enthusiast and a valued member of our growing community. Open to the IJA members only.
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More details about the first club meeting and book of the month:
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Bank of Ireland FDI team wins the IJA Ishikawa Golf Cup 2023

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The IJA Annual Golf Outing 2023 tournament took place on 4th September at the beautiful Foxrock Golf Club, Dublin.

 

 

We would like to thank all the teams who supported us and participated in the tournament this year, and we send special congratulations to the winners – Bank of Ireland FDI team – who came first and won the IJA Ishikawa Cup in 2023!

 

 

Many thanks to all participants of the tournament this year: Bank of Ireland, Cpl Resources, Dillon Eustace, ElectroRoute, Mitsubishi Electric and Suntory.

A very special thanks goes to our tournament sponsors – K&L Gates Ireland.

 

 

We would like to thank IJA Council members and event team who helped to organise this event: Stephen Mullin and Catherine Grennell-Whyte.

We would like to thank our prize sponsors, the IJA Council and Finnair/ATTS, our hosts and team at the Foxrock Golf Club for all the help and support before and during our event, and last but not least – all our event participants who joined us on this day and made it such a great success.

We are looking forward to our Golf Outing 2024 tournament next year!