Tag Archive for: Business

Ireland Japan Association Honoured with Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation

The Ireland Japan Association is proud to announce that it has been awarded the Commendation of the Foreign Minister of Japan, a prestigious recognition presented to organisations and individuals worldwide who have made outstanding contributions to strengthening ties with Japan.

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This honour acknowledges the IJA’s decades of work promoting economic, cultural, and educational connections between Ireland and Japan. In 2025, the IJA joins a distinguished group of 58 organisations and 173 individuals worldwide receiving the award.

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In its commendation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan noted:

“The IJA has helped not only to promote and develop economic and business relations between Japan and Ireland for many years, but also to promote Japanese language education and to foster human resource development in Japanese studies in Ireland. The IJA also runs regular workshops where participants can experience traditional Japanese culture. Through these and other activities, the IJA facilitates people-to-people exchanges while strengthening and promoting mutual understanding between Japan and Ireland.”

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Founded in 1990 from the merger of the Ireland Japan Society (est. 1969) and the Ireland Japan Economic Association (est. 1974), the IJA has been a cornerstone of Ireland-Japan relations for more than 35 years. Its mission has always been to act as a bridge between the two countries, creating opportunities for collaboration in business, culture, and education.

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Catherine Grennell-Whyte, Chairperson of the IJA, said:

“We are deeply honoured to receive this commendation from the Government of Japan. It is a powerful recognition of the work the IJA has carried out to support economic cooperation and trade links between Ireland and Japan, alongside our cultural and educational programmes. For more than three decades, our Association has been dedicated to fostering lasting connections, and this award is a testament to the strength of the friendship between our two nations.”

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About the Foreign Minister’s Commendations
The Foreign Minister’s Commendations are presented annually to individuals and groups with exceptional achievements in international fields, recognising their role in promoting friendship between Japan and other countries. The award also raises awareness within Japan of the recipients’ contributions to international exchange.
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IJA Fireside Chat Series: A Conversation with Joan Mulvihill | Photo Gallery

On Thursday, 27th February, we were delighted to host the second event in our exclusive IJA Fireside Chat Series, in collaboration with the Embassy of Finland in Ireland.
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A huge thank you to all participants for engaging in our insightful discussion on ‘Leadership and the Art of Digital Transformation: A Human Approach’ with our inspiring keynote speaker, Joan Mulvihill, Siemens Ireland.

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Joan’s thought-provoking talk explored the importance of rehumanising organisations in the digital age, seamlessly bridging the worlds of technology, creativity, and human-centric leadership.
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Special thanks to our hosts, H.E. Ms. Leena Gardemeister, Ambassador of Finland and the Embassy of Finland in Ireland, for their warm hospitality and support in making this event a success.
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We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming IJA events!
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This event was supported by the IJA 2025 Patron Members: Fitzwilliam Capital and Yamamori Dublin.
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Yamamori celebrates 30th anniversary and joins IJA as a 2025 Patron Member

The Ireland Japan Association is pleased to announce that our long-standing partner and member, Yamamori, one of Ireland’s most beloved family-owned Japanese restaurant groups, will join us as a Patron Member for 2025. We look forward to a continued successful partnership and collaboration across the business, cultural, and educational sectors.

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Founded in 1995 by the late Derek Ryan, Yamamori began as a single establishment and has since expanded into a trio of thriving restaurants and bars in Dublin city centre. Renowned for its commitment to authentic Japanese cuisine, outstanding cocktails, warm service, and vibrant atmosphere, Yamamori has become a cornerstone of Dublin’s culinary scene.

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The flagship location, Yamamori, located at 71/72 South Great George’s Street, established in 1995, remains a pioneer of Japanese cuisine in Dublin. Offering a wide range of dishes, including tempura, sushi, Japanese dumplings, and freshly prepared ramen, it has set the standard for Japanese dining in the city. In addition to its culinary excellence, Yamamori South has become known for its dedicated staff and inviting environment, ensuring a memorable dining experience for all guests.

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As the Yamamori Group celebrates its 30th anniversary in August 2025, it continues to be a beloved institution, serving the Dublin community and thriving as a cornerstone of Dublin’s dining scene for years to come.

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We are excited to further strengthen our partnership with Yamamori and look forward to a successful year ahead.

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To learn more about Yamamori businesses and the services they provide, please visit their website here or connect with them on LinkedIn.

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Fitzwilliam Capital joins IJA as a 2025 Patron Member

The Ireland Japan Association is pleased to announce Fitzwilliam Capital, the investment division of Fitzwilliam Group, as our Patron Member for 2025. We look forward to a lasting partnership, fruitful collaboration, and mutual growth as we work together to strengthen the ties between Ireland and Japan.

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Founded in Ireland in 1975, Fitzwilliam Group is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Over the years, the Group has earned a distinguished reputation for delivering proactive and professional services to its clients, investors, and partners alike. Originally established as a construction company, Fitzwilliam Group has successfully expanded into three core divisions: Investment, Development & Property.

“Guided by our core values, we are dedicated to exceeding the expectations of our customers and stakeholders, attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), leaving a positive legacy in the communities we serve, protecting the environment for future generations, and fostering a safe and inclusive workplace for our team.” – Peter Vambeck, Director of Investment at Fitzwilliam Capital

To learn more about Fitzwilliam Capital and the services they provide, please visit their website here or their LinkedIn profile.

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Ireland Japan Association Hosts Annual Chairperson’s Lunch

On 22nd October, the Ireland Japan Association (IJA), led by Chairperson Catherine Grennell-Whyte, proudly welcomed representatives of the IJA Corporate members to its annual Chairperson’s Lunch.

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This exclusive event honoured our esteemed corporate community while providing a unique platform for networking, collaboration, and the discussion of shared goals for the future.

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Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson together with H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland and Mr. Hideo Yura, Director General, JETRO London

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Held at the luxurious Merrion Hotel in the heart of Dublin, the event marked a significant new chapter for the Ireland Japan Association, with emphasis on creating value for corporate members with a goal of providing the corporate community with meaningful opportunities to network, exchange ideas, and collaborate in ways that drive growth for businesses while strengthening the Ireland-Japan relationship.

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Catherine Grennell-Whyte opened the event with greetings in Japanese and expressed her gratitude to the IJA corporate members for their unwavering support and contributions to the association.

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At the Ireland Japan Association, we believe that the relationship between Ireland and Japan is built on the principles of a strong sense of community, a commitment to shared growth, and the pursuit of innovation in business, culture, and education. We are more than just an association; unique in our offering, we are a vibrant community of like-minded individuals and organizations who understand that the success of one contributes to the success of all.

To our corporate members, we are proud to have you as part of this community. Your engagement with the Ireland Japan Association is about more than just business – it’s about building long-lasting partnerships that bring value to your organizations while contributing to the wider economic and cultural landscape. – Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson

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The IJA was honored to host distinguished guests, including IJA Patron H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, and Mr. Hideo Yura, Director General of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). JETRO plays a critical role in promoting economic opportunities between Japan and Europe, and the organisation’s presence and support to the IJA serve as a testament to the potential for even deeper trade and investment ties.

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A special thank you goes to our event hosts and the exceptional staff at The Merrion Hotel and the IJA Council members whose efforts were instrumental in the preparation of this successful event.

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IJA Chairperson’s Lunch at The Merrion Hotel, Dublin

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IJA Chairperson’s Lunch at The Merrion Hotel, Dublin

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Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson and Darina Slattery, Oomi Travel and IJA Treasurer

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Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson and Mary Honohan, PwC Ireland

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IJA Chairperson’s Lunch at The Merrion Hotel, Dublin

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IJA Chairperson’s Lunch at The Merrion Hotel, Dublin

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IJA Corporate Members 2024

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Photos: IJA Archive & Embassy of Japan in Ireland

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Business Briefing ‘Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work’

On Thursday, 2nd May, the IJA invited members to join the business breakfast briefing on ‘Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work’. This event was organised in collaboration with the IJA corporate member Cpl and Cpl’s Future of Work Institute.
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From L-R: Elysia Hegarty, Associate Director at Cpl’s Future of Work Institute, Cormac Reid, Program Manager, ElectroRoute, H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, Catherine Grennell-Whyte, Managing Director, ATTS, Raymond Hegarty, CEO, IntaVal and Ferenc Gál, Digital Marketing Director, Cpl.

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H.E. Mr Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, addressed event participants with a welcome speech followed by a panel discussion led by Elysia Hegarty, Associate Director at Cpl’s Future of Work Institute.
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Special thanks go to our panel of guest speakers – Raymond Hegarty (CEO, IntaVal), Catherine Grennell-Whyte (Managing Director, ATTS), Cormac Reid (Program Manager, ElectroRoute) and Ferenc Gál (Digital Marketing Director, Cpl) – for sharing their valuable insights and offering a glimpse into the world of AI and its inevitable impact on businesses and our professional lives right now and in the future.
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Panel discussed how Artificial Intelligence technologies can fundamentally revolutionise our workplaces and propel collaboration to new heights, fostering exciting innovations, driving new efficiencies, and enabling sustainable transformations. Thought-provoking details were also discussed about challenges we might face in the future, and how AI may reshape our lives in unexpected and potentially frightening ways.
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We thank everyone who joined us in person and remotely for this very exciting and insightful discussion.
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This event was organised in cooperation with:
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EU-Japan News | March 2023 Issue Available Now

EU-Japan NEWS is the quarterly newsletter of the EU-Japan Centre launched in 2003 and containing EU-Japan-related news and features on topics of interest to EU and Japan businesses and public bodies.

The newest issue of the March 2023 Newsletter is available in an online and PDF version packed with the EU and Japan related news, partnering opportunities, network news and lots of other useful information and links.

In this issue, you will find:
* Centre’s news: pages 1-8
* EU news: page 9-10
* Japan news: page 11
* EU-Japan news: pages 12-19
* Enterprise Europe Network opportunities: pages 20
* Calendar: page 21

 

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.

You can read full March 2023 Newsletter online here!

You can read full March 2023 Newsletter in PDF format here!

EU-Japan News | June 2022 Issue Available Now

EU-Japan NEWS is the quarterly newsletter of the EU-Japan Centre launched in 2003 and containing EU-Japan-related news and features on topics of interest to EU and Japan businesses and public bodies.

The newest issue of the June 2022 Newsletter is available in an online and PDF version packed with the EU and Japan related news, partnering opportunities, network news and lots of other useful information and links.

 

 

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.

You can read full June 2022 Newsletter online here!

You can read full June 2022 Newsletter in PDF format here!

EU-Japan News | December 2021 Issue Available Now

EU-Japan NEWS is the quarterly newsletter of the EU-Japan Centre launched in 2003 and containing EU-Japan-related news and features on topics of interest to EU and Japan businesses and public bodies.

The newest issue of the December 2021 Newsletter is available in an online and PDF version packed with the EU and Japan related news, partnering opportunities, network news and lots of other useful information and links.

 

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.

 

 

You can read full December 2021 Newsletter online here!

You can read full December 2021 Newsletter in PDF format here!

EU-Japan News | October 2021 Issue Available Now

EU-Japan NEWS is the quarterly newsletter of the EU-Japan Centre launched in 2003 and containing EU-Japan-related news and features on topics of interest to EU and Japan businesses and public bodies.

The newest issue of the October 2021 Newsletter is available in an online and PDF version packed with the EU and Japan related news, partnering opportunities, network news and lots of other useful information and links.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

You can read full October 2021 Newsletter online here!

You can read full October 2021 Newsletter in PDF format here!

Tag Archive for: Business

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