Announcement of official logo for the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland in 2017
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/
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/
