Tag Archive for: IJA Council

IJA Annual General Meeting 2026 | Review

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The 36th Annual General Meeting for the Ireland Japan Association took place on Tuesday, 3rd March 2026. The meeting was held as a hybrid event with members attending in person and remotely via Zoom platform.

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Catherine Grennell-Whyte, Chairperson of the Ireland Japan Association (IJA), opened the meeting by remembering the former Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, H.E. Ambassador Junji Shimada. On behalf of the IJA Council and community, she extended her deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and former colleagues. Ambassador Shimada made a valued contribution to strengthening the relationship between Japan and Ireland and will be remembered with great respect and gratitude.

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Chairperson’s Report

Catherine Grennell-Whyte introduced attendees to the Chairperson’s Report for 2025, noting that 2025 was another active and positive year for the association. The Council focused on strengthening member engagement, expanding cultural, educational, and professional programmes, and continuing to build meaningful connections between Ireland and Japan.

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A major highlight of the year was the IJA receiving the prestigious Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation, recognising the Association’s longstanding contribution to strengthening bilateral relations.

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On behalf of the Council, Catherine Grennell-Whyte warmly welcomed the new Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, His Excellency Manabu Miyagawa. She thanked the Ambassador and the Embassy team for their continued support and collaboration and expressed the association’s appreciation for the strong relationship with the Embassy of Japan in Dublin, which the IJA looks forward to continuing.

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During 2025, the IJA organised and participated as co-organiser in variety of events, including language conversation groups, the Japanese Book Club, Japanese language courses, Calligraphy and Ikebana workshops, a Sake Tasting event, the Annual Dinner, the Ushioda Scholarship Award Ceremony, the DFGI Conference in collaboration with JETRO and TCD, the Annual Golf Outing, the Chairperson’s Lunch, the Ireland-Japan rugby reception hosted by Dillon Eustace, the Bounenkai celebration, and the book talk by Azumi Uchitani in January 2026. The Association also supported and promoted many events organised by partner organisations, members, and friends through its communication channels. The Council is currently working on a strong programme of events for 2026.

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Catherine Grennell-Whyte thanked all IJA members for their engagement and encouragement, highlighting the support of the 2025 Patron members – Fitzwilliam Capital and Yamamori Group. Chairperson extended special thanks to the Council team, the IJA Secretary and both Vice Chairs she had the opportunity to work alongside – Tsugumi Yamamoto and Neil Cowhey. She noted that is has been a privilege to serve as Chair and to contribute to strengthening the relationship between Ireland and Japan.

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Financial Statements 2025

A summary of the IJA Financial Statements for 2025 was presented to AGM participants. Membership subscription fees for 2026/2027 were reviewed and approved, and the newly elected IJA Council members were announced.

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Council Elections 2026

Catherine Grennell-Whyte informed that for the 2026 elections, the IJA received a sufficient number of nominations to meet the constitutional requirements for Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, and Ordinary Council members representing Corporate members, allowing these positions to be filled without requiring a vote. For the Ordinary Council seats representing Individual members, eight nominations were received with six places available. The elections were conducted via the online voting platform ElectionBody from 17th – 24th February 2026. The results were reviewed and certified by an independent assessor, IJA Accountant, Stephen Power.

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The Chairperson extended sincere gratitude to all outgoing council members for their dedication, participation, and teamwork during their tenure.

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From R-L: Neil Cowhey, IJA Chairperson and Raymond Hegarty, IJA Vice Chairperson

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The newly elected IJA Chairperson, Neil Cowhey, addressed AGM attendees, expressing his sincere thanks to Catherine Grennell-Whyte for her leadership over the past three years and for advancing the association’s mission of strengthening Ireland-Japan relations through education, business, and culture. He also thanked the outgoing Council members for their dedication and contributions, welcomed Raymond Hegarty as the newly elected Vice Chair, and congratulated all incoming Council members, encouraging open collaboration and new ideas for the year ahead.

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The newly elected IJA Council for 2026:

Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Ex-Officio

  1. Neil Cowhey, Dillon Eustace (IJA Chairperson)
  2. Raymond Hegarty, IJA Individual Member (IJA Vice Chairperson)
  3. Catherine Grennell-Whyte (Ex Officio)

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Corporate Members:

  1. Atsushi Kadota, ElectroRoute
  2. Graham Hodgkin, SMBC Bank EU AG
  3. Graham Ryan, Yamamori
  4. Jonathan Kelly, Ryugaku+
  5. Peter Vambeck, Fitzwilliam Capital
  6. Yuka Nagano, Clerkin Lynch

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Individual Members:

  1. Azumi Uchitani, IJA Individual Member
  2. Cormac Hegarty, IJA Individual Member
  3. Eddie Hughes, IJA Individual Member
  4. Maria Mardiki, IJA Individual Member
  5. Paula Kelly, IJA Individual Member
  6. Rie Mishima, IJA Individual Member

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Not on Council but invited to attend meetings:

  1. Keiko Nakata, Embassy of Japan (Honorary Member)

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Many thanks to IJA Corporate member, Dillon Eustace for hosting the AGM 2026.

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Christmas Greetings from Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson

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As we approach the festive season and reflect on the year that has passed, we are pleased to share a Christmas message from Catherine Grennell-Whyte, Chairperson of the Ireland Japan Association.

Her words capture the spirit of gratitude, community, and shared values that continue to strengthen the friendship between Ireland and Japan.

On behalf of the IJA Council, we warmly extend these greetings to our members, partners, and supporters.

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As the year draws to a close, I would like to take a moment to thank everyone in the Ireland Japan Association – our Individual members, Corporate members, Partners, and Supporters, not forgetting, of course, our Council Members and Secretariat – for being part of our community throughout the past year.
It has been a busy and meaningful year for the IJA, and much of what we achieved was made possible by the commitment, goodwill, and generosity of our members. Whether your support came through participation at events, sponsorship, collaboration, or quiet encouragement, each contribution helped strengthen the friendship and understanding between Ireland and Japan.
I am particularly grateful for the sense of openness and respect that defines our amazing Association and community. The Ireland – Japan relationship is built not only on shared interests but on shared values, and it is always encouraging to see those values reflected in the way our members engage with one another.
At Christmas, we are reminded of the importance of connection, gratitude, respect and community. I personally and sincerely hope this season brings you time to rest, reflect, and enjoy the company of family, friends, and colleagues.
On behalf of the Council and the Ireland Japan Association, I wish you and your loved ones a very happy, peaceful Christmas, and every good wish for health, success, and friendship in the year ahead.
With warmest regards,
Catherine Grennell-Whyte
IJA Chairperson
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Bank of Ireland Team Wins the IJA Ishikawa Golf Cup 2025

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The Ireland Japan Association’s Annual Golf Outing 2025 took place on Thursday, 25th September at the beautiful Foxrock Golf Club, Dublin, bringing together IJA members and friends for a fantastic day of golf, networking and celebration.

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We are delighted to congratulate the Bank of Ireland team, winners of the IJA Ishikawa Cup 2025! The Ishikawa Cup and first prize were presented to the winning team by Neil Cowhey, IJA Vice Chairperson, and Mr. Hirohata, Head of Mission, Embassy of Japan.

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IJA Ishikawa Cup 2025 winners from Bank of Ireland Team – Casey Steele and Philip Healy together with Mr. Hirohata, Head of Mission, Embassy of Japan

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Winners – Bank of Ireland Team
Philip Healy
Casey Steele
Patrick O’Connor
Devon Burns

2nd Place – NTT Data Team
3rd Place – SuMi TRUST (SMT Fund) Team

Spot Prizes
Nearest the Pin – Louise Mernagh, Mitsubishi Electric
Longest Drive – Adrian Gubbins, Mitsubishi Electric

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IJA Ishikawa Cup 2025 – 2nd place – NTT Data Team

IJA Ishikawa Cup 2025 – Nearest The Pin Spot Prize – Winner Louise Mernagh, Mitsubishi Electric with Neil Cowhey, IJA Vice Chairperson

IJA Ishikawa Cup 2025 – Longest Drive Spot Prize – Winner Adrian Gubbins, Mitsubishi Electric with Neil Cowhey, IJA Vice Chairperson

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A big thank you to all the teams – Bank of Ireland, Dillon Eustace, ElectroRoute, Mitsubishi Electric, NTT Data, and SuMi TRUST – for taking part and making this year’s tournament such a success.

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We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to our wonderful hosts at Foxrock Golf Club for their warm hospitality, and to the IJA Council members and event team, especially Neil Cowhey and Raymond Hegarty, for their commitment and support in organising this event.

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We look forward to seeing everyone again at next year’s tournament!

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A very special thank you to our tournament prize sponsors for their generous support! 

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Foxrock Golf Club

IJA Ishikawa Cup 2025 – Foxrock Golf Club

IJA Ishikawa Cup 2025

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A Celebration of Ireland-Japan Friendship: Highlights from the IJA Annual Dinner 2025

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The Ireland Japan Association would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for the IJA Annual Dinner 2025, held on Friday, 16th May at the luxurious Conrad Hotel in Dublin.

This special evening was a celebration of friendship, culture, and the strong connections between Ireland and Japan. It was a pleasure to welcome our members, friends, supporters, and special guests for a night of networking, cultural appreciation, and shared experiences.

 

 

Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson

 

Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson:

“It’s incredible how we (IJA) have evolved from being a cultural society with an admirable mission into a thriving community built upon three foundational pillars: Business, Education and Culture. It’s these three intersecting pillars that make the IJA a unique, vibrant association.

In recent years, we have accelerated our growth not just in numbers but also in impact.

Our individual members, many of whom are here this evening, remain at the heart of this association. Your enthusiasm brings inspiration and energy to everything we do. Whether it is our ever-popular weekly conversation groups, the Book Club, or our amazing and varied workshops, it is your presence that gives these events meaning and success.

Equally, shining a light on our corporate members – you are the engine that allows us to do more and reach further. You play an increasingly vital role in our development. Your support, especially in recent years, has allowed us to scale our ambitions – to deliver high-quality business forums like our Fireside Chat Series, to continue our Ushioda Scholarship Programme, and to invest in wonderful events such as The Japan Experience at Farmleigh. You are not just members of this association; you are partners in advancing the Ireland–Japan relationship.”

 

We were honoured by the presence of our Patron, H.E. Mr. Junji Shimada, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, who joined us as Guest of Honour along with his wife, Mrs. Kaoru Shimada. We were also privileged to welcome Mr. Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation, and Mr. Hideo Yura, Director General at JETRO London, along with representatives from the Irish and Japanese business, diplomatic, academic, and cultural communities.

IJA Council and corporate members together with Annual Dinner Special Guests: IJA Patron, H.E. Mr. Junji Shimada, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, and his wife, Mrs. Kaoru Shimada, Mr. Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation, and Mr. Hideo Yura, Director General at JETRO London.

 

Ambassador Shimada and Minister Chambers delivered speeches congratulating the IJA on another successful year, and emphasised the association’s vital role in strengthening the Ireland-Japan relationship. On behalf of the Irish Government, Minister Chambers also thanked Catherine Grennell-Whyte for her leadership, dedication, and achievements.

 

IJA Patron, H.E. Mr. Junji Shimada, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland

 

Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation

 

The evening featured a sake and prosecco reception, a delicious three-course dinner, engaging speeches, and a vibrant celebration of Japanese culture and tradition. Guests enjoyed a carefully curated menu with accompanying wine and had the chance to win incredible prizes during the raffle draw – including the grand prize: return flight tickets and a one-week travel package for two to Osaka, Japan, generously sponsored by our 2025 Travel Partners – Finnair and Oomi Travel.

 

The lucky winner of the Grand Prize together with Darina Slattery, Oomi Travel and Catherine Grennell-Whyte, Finnair. The prize included return flight tickets and a one-week travel package for two to Osaka, Japan, generously sponsored by IJA 2025 Travel Partners – Finnair and Oomi Travel.

 

We would like to express our sincere thanks to all our raffle prize sponsors for their generosity and support:
Azumi Uchitani, Dillon Eustace, Eddie Hughes, Fitzwilliam Capital, SuMi TRUST, Yamamori, Neil Cowhey and Laura Goonan.

Special thanks also go to the Dublin School for Japanese Children who prepared beautiful origami decorations for our dinner guests – a thoughtful gesture that added charm to each table and honoured Japan’s rich cultural heritage.

 

 

We are truly grateful to the team at Conrad Dublin for their excellent service, warm hospitality, and meticulous attention to detail, all of which ensured the evening ran smoothly.

We deeply appreciate the ongoing support of our members and community, and we look forward to many more opportunities to connect, collaborate, and strengthen the ties between Ireland and Japan in the future.

Arigatou gozaimasu – thank you once again for being part of this special celebration!

IJA Annual Dinner 2025 – Video Highlights

Photos: Shane Cullen, K9 Studio

 

Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson (Finnair/ATTS) and Neil Cowhey, IJA Vice Chairperson (Dillon Eustace)

 

IJA Annual Dinner 2025 | Conrad Dublin

 

Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson, Mrs. Kaoru Shimada and H.E. Mr. Junji Shimda, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, Raymond Hegarty, IJA Council

 

Raymond Hegarty, IJA Council and Master of Ceremonies

 

Teresa Weafer, Google Ireland, William Smyth, Fitzwilliam Capital, Graham Ryan, Yamamori Group, H.E. Mr. Junji Shimada, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland and Mrs. Kaoru Shimada

 

H.E. Mr. Junji Shimada, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation, and Mrs. Kaoru Shimada

 

Saara Heinola, Embassy of Finland in Ireland, Keiko Nakata, Embassy of Japan in Ireland, Mrs. Kaoru Shimada and Darina Slattery, Oomi Travel

 

Peter Vambeck, Fitzwilliam Capital, Saara Heinola, Embassy of Finland in Ireland, Graham Ryan, Yamamori Group, William Smyth, Fitzwilliam Capital, Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation, Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson, H.E. Mr. Junji Shimada, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland and Mrs. Kaoru Shimada.

 

Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson

 

Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson and Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation

 

H.E. Mr. Junji Shimada, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson and Mrs. Kaoru Shimada

 

Oomi Travel team with Darina Slattery, founder of Oomi Travel and Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson (Finnair) – with the IJA Annual Dinner 2025 Grand Prize ticket

 

IJA Annual Dinner 2025 | Conrad Dublin

 

IJA Annual Dinner 2025 | Conrad Dublin

 

IJA Annual Dinner 2025 | Conrad Dublin

 

IJA Annual Dinner 2025 | Conrad Dublin

 

We gratefully acknowledge the sponsors of the raffle prizes for the IJA Annual Dinner 2025!

IJA Annual General Meeting 2025 | Review

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The 35th Annual General Meeting for the Ireland Japan Association took place on Tuesday, 25th March 2025. Meeting was held as a hybrid event with members attending in person and remotely via Zoom platform.

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Catherine Grennell-Whyte, Chairperson of the Ireland Japan Association (IJA), opened the meeting by expressing her heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of former IJA Chair Michael Darcy on his passing. She highlighted Michael’s pivotal role in the Association, acknowledging his dedication, passion, and leadership in strengthening ties between Ireland and Japan. His invaluable contributions helped shape the IJA into what it is today, and his unwavering commitment to the community will be remembered with deep respect and gratitude. While his presence will be greatly missed, his legacy will continue to inspire.

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Chairperson’s Report

Catherine Grennell-Whyte introduced attendees to the Chairperson’s Report for 2024, which outlined the Association’s key activities, achievements, and challenges over the past year.

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Over the past 12 months, the Ireland Japan Association has continued to expand its community, hosting 23 events across cultural, business, and networking sectors. These included language courses, business forums, and cultural workshops, reflecting the growing interest in Irish-Japanese relations. Membership has also seen growth, with six new corporate members and seven new individual members joining in 2024.

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The Chairperson expressed deep appreciation to the Council Members, volunteers, corporate partners, and sponsors for their dedication and support. Special thanks were extended to the Embassy of Japan in Ireland, former Ambassador Maruyama, and a warm welcome was given to Ambassador Shimada and his wife as he begins his tenure in Ireland.

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The Chairperson concluded by thanking IJA members for their continued support and engagement, emphasizing the Association’s commitment to strengthening ties between Ireland and Japan in the years ahead.

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Financial Statements 2024

Summary of the IJA Financial Statements for 2024 was presented with the AGM participants by Vice Chairperson Tsugumi Yamamoto, membership subscription fees were discussed and approved for 2025/2026 and the new IJA Council members were announced.

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Council Elections 2025

Catherine Grennell-Whyte informed that for the 2025 elections, the IJA received a sufficient number of nominations to meet the constitutional requirements for Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, allowing both positions to be filled without requiring a vote. For the Ordinary Council seats, 13 nominations were received – six corporate and seven individual members. The elections were conducted via the online voting platform ElectionBody from Tuesday, March 11, to Tuesday, March 18, 2024. The results were reviewed and certified by an independent assessor, IJA Auditor Stephen Power.

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The Chairperson extended sincere gratitude to all outgoing council members for their dedication, participation, and teamwork during their tenure. As per the IJA Constitution, members must step down after three years of service. The following council members were thanked for their contributions: Tsugumi Yamamoto, Vice-Chairperson, Hiro Ino, Individual Member, Jonathan Kelly, Individual Member.

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Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson and Neil Cowhey, IJA Vice Chairperson

 

The newly elected IJA Council for 2025:

Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson

  1. Catherine Grennell-Whyte, ATTS/Finnair (Chairperson)
  2. Neil Cowhey, Dillon Eustace (Vice Chairperson)

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Corporate Members:

  1. Atsushi Kadota, ElectroRoute
  2. Darina Slattery, Oomi Travel
  3. David Tyrrell, NTT Data
  4. Graham Ryan, Yamamori
  5. Peter Vambeck, Fitzwilliam Capital
  6. Yuka Nagano, Clerkin Lynch

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Individual Members:

  1. Azumi Uchitani, IJA Individual Member
  2. Eddie Hughes, IJA Individual Member
  3. Maria Mardiki, IJA Individual Member
  4. Paula Kelly, IJA Individual Member
  5. Raymond Hegarty, IJA Individual Member
  6. Verity Swan, IJA Individual Member

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Not on Council but invited to attend meetings:

  1. Keiko Nakata, Embassy of Japan (Honorary Member)

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Cpl team wins the IJA Ishikawa Golf Cup 2024

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The IJA Annual Golf Outing 2024 tournament took place on 5th September at the beautiful Foxrock Golf Club, Dublin.
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We would like to congratulate the Cpl Team, winners of the IJA Golf Outing 2024! The Ishikawa Cup was presented to the winning team by Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson and Norimasa Yoshida, Deputy Head of the Mission at the Embassy of Japan.
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L-R: Cpl Team captain Stephen Mullin, Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson and Norimasa Yoshida, Deputy Head of the Mission at the Embassy of Japan.

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Iskikawa Cup 2024 winners: Cpl Team
Stephen Mullin
Johnnie O’Connor
Ian Sparling
Tom Fitzgerald
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2nd and 3rd places were awarded to NTT Data (Team 1) and NTT Data (Team 2). Big thanks to all the teams from Bank of Ireland, Dillon Eustace, ElectroRoute, Mitsubishi Electric, and NTT DATA, Inc. for joining us this year and making the tournament a great success.
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We would also like to thank our amazing hosts – Foxrock Golf Club – for their fantastic hospitality and the IJA Council members and event team who helped to organise this event: Catherine Grennell-Whyte, Neil Cowhey, Raymond Hegarty and Verity Swan.
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A special thanks go to our generous prize sponsors:
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IJA Council members and corporate representatives visit Japan House in Dublin

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On 10th and 12th of July, H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, welcomed the IJA Council members and representatives of the IJA Corporate members to Japan House in Dublin to discuss the IJA work and activities in Ireland as well as look at cooperation options in the future.

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L-R: Neil Cowhey (Dillon Eustace/IJA Council), Raymond Hegarty (IJA Council), Azumi Uchitani (IJA Council), Catherine Grennell-Whyte (IJA Chairperson), Norio Maruyama (Ambassador of Japan to Ireland), Teresa Weafer (Google Ireland) and Hiro Ino (IJA Council).

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Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson, Tsugumi Yamamoto, IJA Vice Chairperson, IJA Council members – Hiro Ino, Neil Cowhey (Dillon Eustace), Raymond Hegarty, Azumi Uchitani, Eddie Hughes, Hirofumi Noda (ElectroRoute), and the IJA corporate representatives – Darina Slattery (Oomi Travel), Mary Honohan (PwC Ireland), Jun Watanabe (ALPS Electric) and Teresa Weafer (Google) attended.

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The IJA Council thanks the Ambassador Maruyama and his team for the warm welcome and hospitality during the visit.

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L-R: Jun Watanabe (ALPS Electric), Hirofumi Noda (ElectroRoute/IJA Council), Darina Slattery (Oomi Travel), Norio Maruyama (Ambassador of Japan to Ireland), Tsugumi Yamamoto (IJA Vice Chairperson), Mary Honohan (PwC Ireland) and Eddie Hughes (IJA Council).

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Photos: Embassy of Japan

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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

IJA Annual General Meeting 2023 | Review

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The 33rd Annual General Meeting for the Ireland Japan Association took place on Thursday, 23rd March 2023. Meeting was held as a hybrid event with members attending in person and remotely via Zoom platform.

 

 

Raymond Hegarty, IJA Chairperson, thanked the outgoing Council members for their work, participation and team effort throughout the past year, Embassy of Japan for their continued support to the IJA, and all IJA Corporate and Individual members who have supported association and its activities in 2022.

Raymond Hegarty warmly welcomed H. E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, the new Ambassador of Japan in Ireland, wishing him and his team a very successful time in Ireland during his service.

In his report, Raymond Hegarty noted that 10 business and culture events were organized online and in person throughout the past year, including IJA Japanese Conversation Group, Ikebana Demonstration Online, Japanese Language and Culture Course, AGM 2022, IJA Annual Dinner, Summer Ikebana Workshop, IJA Golf Outing 2022, Autumn Ikebana Workshop, Ichigo Ichie Dinner Event, and Bounenkai celebrations. Raymond Hegarty thanked all Council members who have dedicated their time and effort to organise these events.

In 2022 IJA supported and promoted a long list of various events organized by the IJA partner organisations, members and friends – UCD Japan, Experience Japan, Unique Japan Tours, the Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce, Japanese Film Festival, East Asia Film Festival, Chester Beatty, EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation, Raku Theatre Group, Japan Hockey team games in Dublin, and many more.

The IJA supported Experience Japan festival and Japanese School of Ireland with donations in 2022.

Raymond Hegarty informed that IJA member’s network had 33 corporate members and 58 individual members in 2022. The IJA is delighted to welcome our new corporate members who joined the IJA in 2022 and early 2023: IJA Patron member – ElectroRoute, and corporate members – Openskies Aerial Technology Ltd. and K&L Gates Ireland.

An update on the Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda Scholarship was given during the meeting. Raymond Hegarty informed that in 2022 Ushioda Scholarship was presented to 2 students:

  • Francis Donnelly (2021 winner), studying for BA in Applied Languages, University of Limerick. Francis is currently studying Japanese studies at Nagoya University of Foreign Studies. Due to the pandemic, her departure was postponed in 2021;
  • Joseph Peter Talento (2022 winner), studying Business Studies International at DCU. Joseph has travelled to Japan for an exchange year at Toyo University. 

Raymond Hegarty thanked Paula Kelly for her support and assistance with the scholarship management and administration process over the last year.

Summary of the IJA Financial Statements for 2022 was shared with the AGM participants, membership subscription fees were discussed and approved for 2023/2024 and the new IJA Council members were announced.

Raymond Hegarty thanked Eddie Hughes for his valuable advice, work and participation during his time on the Council. E. Hughes stepped down after 3 year servie on the Council. Raymond Hegarty, who is stepping down after serving 3 years as the IJA Chairperson, will continue his work on the Council as Ex-Officio. 

This year the IJA received enough nominations to satisfy the constitutional requirements for Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Ordinary Council members, and all places were filled without requiring a vote.  Raymond Hegarty congratulated Catherine Grennell-Whyte and wished her success in the new role.

Three new Council members were welcomed to the IJA Council this year – Azumi Uchitani, ElectroRoute, Eva Reavley, IJA Individual member and Verity Swan, IJA Individual member who all will join the Council as Ordinary members. All new Council members made short introductions.

The newly elected IJA Council for 2022:

Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson

  1. Catherine Grennell-Whyte, ATTS/Finnair (Chairperson)
  2. Tsugumi Yamamoto, IJA Individual Member (Vice Chairperson)

Ex-Officio

  1. Raymond Hegarty, IJA Individual Member

Corporate Members:

  1. Azumi Uchitani, ElectroRoute
  2. Brian Marconi, JTI
  3. Darina Slattery, Unique Japan Tours
  4. Laura Goonan, Dillon Eustace
  5. Pamela Connell, Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking
  6. Stephen Mullin, CPL Ireland
  7. Yasuyuki Ozeki, JETRO

Individual Members:

  1. Eva Reavley, IJA Individual Member
  2. Hiro Ino, IJA Individual Member
  3. Jonathan Kelly, IJA Individual Member
  4. Paula Kelly, IJA Individual Member
  5. Verity Swan, IJA Individual Member

Not on Council but invited to attend meetings:

  1. Keiko Nakata, Embassy of Japan (Honorary Member)

 

IJA Annual General Meeting 2022 | Review

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The 32nd Annual General Meeting for the Ireland Japan Association took place on Thursday, 24th March 2022. Meeting was held as a hybrid event with members attending in person and remotely via Zoom platform.

Raymond Hegarty, IJA Chairperson, thanked the outgoing Council members for their work, participation and team effort throughout the past year, Embassy of Japan for their continued support to the IJA, and all IJA Corporate and Individual members who have supported association and its activities in 2021.

Raymond Hegarty paid his respects to the late Derek Ryan, founder of Yamamori Japanese restaurants in Dublin. Yamamori has been a Corporate Member of the IJA and supporter of the IJA events for years.

In his report, Raymond Hegarty noted that 12 business and culture events were organized online and in person throughout the past year, including IJA Japanese Conversation Group, AGM 2021, Online Book Launch: Black Dragonfly by Jean Pasley, Sake Tasting Night, Origami workshop, Mid-Summer Japanese Outdoor Event, Tokyo Olympics: The Countdown, IJA Golf Outing 2021, Placing Employee Wellness at the Heart of Your Organisational Culture, tickets for the IJA members to the Ireland vs Japan Rugby Match at Aviva Stadium, Business Opportunities in Changing World, and Bounenkai Sake Reception and Dinner.

In 2021 IJA supported and promoted a list of online events organized by the IJA partner organisations, members and friends – UCD Japan, Unique Japan Tours, the Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce, Writers of Kyoto, Chester Beatty, Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens in Tramore, and many more.

The IJA supported Japanese School of Ireland with a donations in 2021.

Raymond Hegarty informed that IJA member’s network had 35 corporate members and 58 individual members in 2021. Two new corporate members joined the IJA in 2021 – VIOTAS and Shikkui Ireland.

An update on the Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda Scholarship was given during the meeting. Raymond Hegarty informed that after pausing scholarship award in 2020 due to Covid pandemic, in 2021 the IJA was honoured to award it to Francis Donnelly, studying for BA in Applied Languages, University of Limerick. Francis is planning to go to Nagoya University of Foreign Studies to continue her Japanese studies abroad. Raymond Hegarty thanked Paula Kelly for her support and assistance with the scholarship management and administration process over the last year.

Summary of the IJA Financial Statements for 2021 was shared with the AGM participants, membership subscription fees were discussed and approved for 2022/2023 and the new IJA Council members were announced.

Raymond Hegarty informed that this year there are 2 Council members leaving the Council. He thanked Verity Swan and Hiroaki Ozaki for their valuable advice, work and participation during their time on the Council. Yasuyuki Ozeki, former IJA Vice Chairperson will continue his work on the Council as an Ordinary Council member.

This year the IJA received enough nominations to satisfy the constitutional requirements for Chairperson and Ordinary Council members, and all places were filled without requiring a vote. This year 2 nominations were received for the IJA Vice Chairperson seat and voting took place from Thursday, 10th March – Thursday, 17th March 2022. Election results were reviewed and confirmed by an independent assessor – Stephen Power, Power & Associates.

We are delighted to announce that the new IJA Vice Chairperson is Tsugumi Yamamoto, IJA Individual member. We would also like to thank other nominee Hiro Ino, IJA Individual member, who will continue his work on the Council as an Ordinary Council member.

Four new Council members were welcomed to the IJA Council this year – Tsugumi Yamamoto, IJA Individual member who will take the seat of the IJA Vice Chairperson, and Brian Marconi, JTI, Hiro Ino, IJA Individual member and Jonathan Kelly, IJA Individual member who all will join the Council as Ordinary members.

The newly elected IJA Council for 2022:

Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson

  1. Raymond Hegarty, IJA Individual Member (Chairperson)
  2. Tsugumi Yamamoto, IJA Individual Member (Vice Chairperson)

Corporate Members:

  1. Brian Marconi, JTI
  2. Catherine Grennell-Whyte, Finnair/ATTS
  3. Darina Slattery, Unique Japan Tours
  4. Laura Goonan, Dillon Eustace
  5. Pamela Connell, Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking
  6. Stephen Mullin, CPL Ireland
  7. Yasuyuki Ozeki, JETRO

Individual Members:

  1. Eddie Hughes, IJA Individual Member
  2. Hiro Ino, IJA Individual Member
  3. Jonathan Kelly, IJA Individual Member
  4. Paula Kelly, IJA Individual Member

Not on Council but invited to attend meetings:

  1. Sou Watanabe (Honorary Member)

 

Tag Archive for: IJA Council

IJA Annual Dinner 2026

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**BOOK YOUR TICKET TODAY!**
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The IJA Council is delighted to invite you to the IJA Annual Dinner 2026 – one of the most anticipated and exciting highlights of the year for the Irish-Japanese community in Ireland.
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Join us for an exceptional evening of connection, culture, and celebration, bringing together IJA members, friends, supporters, and distinguished guests from government, business, academia, and the arts. This year’s dinner will bring memorable moments and outstanding hospitality in a truly elegant and luxurious Dublin city centre setting.
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We are especially honoured to announce that H.E. Mr. Manabu Miyagawa, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland and IJA Patron, will join us as our Guest of Honour to deliver an inspiring address on the flourishing ties between our two nations.
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Event Details
Date: Friday, 15th May 2026
Time: From 6.30 p.m.
Location: The College Green Hotel, College Green, Westmoreland Street, Dublin, D02 HR67
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Event Highlights
* Inspiring speeches and presentations
* A celebration of the dynamic ties between Ireland and Japan
* Exceptional networking opportunities with IJA members, friends and supporters
* Fine dining and celebrations in a luxurious Dublin city centre venue
* A memorable evening shared with friends and colleagues
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Tickets
* IJA Members: €145
* Non-Members: €165
* Table of 10: €1,450
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Bookings
Book online by card – please see booking form below!
RSVP Deadline: Friday, 1st May 2026.
Cancellations after this date are non-refundable.
Early booking is recommended.
For information, please email: info@ija.ie
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Dress Code
Business attire / Suits / Dresses / Japanese traditional dress.
(Black tie is not required)
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Seating Arrangements
Round tables will seat 8-10 guests. Corporate tables are welcome.
For seating requests or dietary requirements, please contact us by the RSVP deadline.
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Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities
We are pleased to offer sponsorship opportunities for our corporate members. If you would like to contribute a prize for the evening, please email details to info@ija.ie by Friday, 1st May 2026. Your company logo will be displayed during the night on a large screen and added to our digital event programmes.
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Whether you are a long-standing member or joining us for the first time, this is a wonderful opportunity to be part of a truly special occasion, celebrating friendship, partnership, and the unique bond between Ireland and Japan.
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