Tag Archive for: IJA

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!

 

 

 

 

Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda Scholarship 2023 award ceremony | PHOTO GALLERY

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Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda Scholarship was established in 2019 in honour of Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda’s major contribution to the development of the Ireland Japan Association and Ireland-Japan relations, and to underpin the association’s strong commitment to supporting Japanese studies in Ireland.

In 2023, the scholarship was awarded to Ben Murphy, studying Japanese Language at University of Limerick. Ben will be travelling to Japan for an exchange year at Waseda University, Tokyo.

From left: Mrs. Yoshiko Ushioda, IJA founder member and Scholarship Patron, H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, and Ben Murphy, Univeristy of Limerick & Ushioda Scholarship winner in 2023.

 

The small but heartwarming award ceremony of the scholarship took place on 30th August 2023 at the beautiful offices of the IJA Patron Member – ElectroRoute. Ben was greeted and congratulated by Mrs. Yoshiko Ushioda, IJA founder member and Scholarship Patron, Ms. Tsugumi Yamamoto, IJA Vice-Chaiperson, Ms. Paula Kelly, IJA Council and Scholarship coordinator, and Mr. Donal Flyn, CFO, Managing Director of Finance & Operation at ElectroRoute.

H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland and Ms. Keiko Nakata, Embassy of Japan in Ireland, were the special invited guests at this event. Ambassador dedicated well wishes and words of encouragement to Ben as he is preparing to travel to Japan for his year abroad.

 

 

I have always wanted to explore and discover another culture and language. Studying Japanese in UL has granted me the opportunity to do so. Since my first class in Japanese, I have been captivated by Japan and its history and culture. I have met some of my closest friends, both Japanese and non-Japanese through my studies, and I hope to see them all in Japan when I complete my study abroad in Japanese at Waseda University in Tokyo!’ – Ben Murphy

 

We would like to thank Ms. Paula Kelly, IJA Council, and Barbara Geraghty, University of Limerick, for their support and assistance with the scholarship management and administration process this year.

Many thanks to Azumi Uchitani and her team at ElectroRoute for a very warm welcome, reception set up and looking after all the guests during this event.

 

 

IJA Annual Dinner 2023 | Photo Gallery

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On 12th May the IJA members, friends, and supporters celebrated and enjoyed one of our biggest events of the year – the IJA Annual Dinner 2023. This year’s event took place at one of the most beautiful and luxurious Dublin venues – Conrad Dublin Hotel.

 

 

The IJA Council was delighted to welcome H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan in Ireland and the IJA Patron, as well as Mr. Jack Chambers, State Minister for the Department of Transport and the Department of the Environment, Climate & Communications, as special guests and speakers at the event.

 

From left: Ms. Tsugumi Yamamoto, IJA Vice Chairperson, H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan in Ireland and the IJA Patron, Ms. Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson, Mr. Jack Chambers, State Minister for the Department of Transport and the Department of the Environment, Climate & Communications, and Mr. Raymond Hegarty, IJA Ex-Officio and Master of Ceremonies. Photo: Stephen Cullen, K9 Studio

 

The evening began with Sake reception, kindly supported by the IJA Council in cooperation with Retro Vino Wine & Sake. Reception was followed by welcome words from Raymond Hegarty, IJA Ex-Officio and Master of Ceremonies, and after that dinner guests enjoyed a delicious 3-course meal in the beautiful Ball Room.

 

Raymond Hegarty, IJA Ex-Officio and Master of Ceremonies. Photo: Stephen Cullen, K9 Studio

 

Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson, expressed her gratitude to the IJA corporate and individual members present at the event, inviting everyone to enjoy ‘the celebration of cultures and our successes, a celebration of friendships forged through the Ireland Japan Association and of our achievements together’.

 

No association can function effectively without a strong membership who are committed to the ongoing activities, and we believe the members of this association are one of the main reasons we are so successful.  We can see the evidence of this here this evening with such a large attendance.  I would like to reiterate how much we value your individual, family, student and corporate membership participation in the many events we host and support throughout the year. – Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson.

 

Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson. Photo: Stephen Cullen, K9 Studio

 

Catherine Grennell-Whyte thanked the IJA Patron member – ElectroRoute – for their support to the association and a very successful cooperation. Special gratitude was expressed to the IJA Patron H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan in Ireland. ‘Your patronage of the association is most gratefully appreciated and so is the support of the entire team at the Embassy,’ said Catherine Grennell-Whyte.

 

Ms. Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson and H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan in Ireland and the IJA Patron. Photo: Stephen Cullen, K9 Studio

 

Prize Giving this year was sponsored by the IJA Corporate members – ElectroRoute, Dillon Eustace, Oomi Travel (former Unique Japan Tours), PwC Ireland, SuMi TRUST and Yamamori,  and we would like to thank everyone for their continued support and very generous prizes. The Grand Prize this year was sponsored by our Corporate member Finnair, and we would like to congratulate the lucky winner who received a return flight to Japan – Mr. Yiannis Gkoufas.

We would also like to thank everyone at the Dublin School for Japanese Children who created and gifted beautiful Japanese origami decorations to our dinner guests, and to Mrs. Tomoko Ozaki who created stunning Ikebana flower arrangements for the event. Huge thanks to the event team at Conrad Dublin for being great hosts and providing excellent service during our event.

We would like to thank Raymond Hegarty, Master of Ceremonies, and our event team and volunteers from the IJA Council – Catherine Grennell-Whyte, Tsugumi Yamamoto, Darina Slattery, Laura Goonan, Azumi Uchitani, Eva Reavley and Verity Swan – for their time, support and help to make this year’s event such a great success. Special thanks to Eddie Hughes, former IJA Council member, for his dedication and help with the event arrangements.

 

Photo Gallery | IJA Annual Dinner 2023

Photos: Stephen Cullen, K9 Studio

(If you were a guest at the IJA Annual Dinner 2023 and would like to receive an access to full photo gallery from the night, please email your request to: info@ija.ie)

 

 

Tazaki Foods joins the IJA as a Corporate member

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Ireland Japan Association is delighted to welcome Tazaki Foods, the leading importer, developer and distributor of speciality Japanese food and beverage products in Europe, on board the IJA as a Corporate member, and is looking forward to a long lasting and successful cooperation.

 

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Tazaki Foods was founded in 1978 for the purpose of importing Japanese food and beverage products into the UK. The company has since grown to become the leading importer and wholesaler of speciality Japanese food and beverage products in Europe – supplying not only the Japanese restaurant and food service sectors, but also major supermarket chains throughout Europe.
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Working in close partnership with a global network of suppliers, Tazaki Foods sources high quality, Japanese products that meet the evolving needs of the food service and retail industries. Harnessing its extensive knowledge and experience in the sector, the company also launched its own “Yutaka” range of Japanese food products in 1995. This ever-expanding range today includes ingredients for sushi, sauces, soups, rice, noodles, as well as easy-to-use meal kits. Yutaka continues to be the leading Japanese ingredient brand in many countries across Europe.
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Tazaki Foods has been supplying Japanese food products to the Irish market for close to two decades, fostering close relationships with both restaurant and wholesale customers over this time. Since 2021, the company has operated from a partner warehouse located close to Dublin, which has enabled it to provide a more convenient and efficient service to customers throughout the country.
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Tazaki Foods sees great potential in the Irish market, particularly in the aftermath of Brexit, and will be focusing greater resources here going forward to drive further expansion, both domestically and across the EU.
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We are delighted to support the Ireland Japan Association and the important work it does in cultivating ties between the two countries. We very much look forward to meeting other members over the coming weeks and months.
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If you wish to learn more about Tazaki Foods and services they provide, please visit their websites: https://www.tazakifoods.com/ and https://yutaka.london/ or visit their social media –  LinkedIn or Twitter!
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K&L Gates Ireland LLP joins the IJA as a Corporate member

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Ireland Japan Association is delighted to welcome K&L Gates Ireland LLP, global law firm across five continents, on board the IJA as a Corporate member and is looking forward to a long lasting and successful cooperation.

 

At K&L Gates, we foster an inclusive and collaborative environment across our fully integrated global platform that enables us to diligently combine the knowledge and expertise of our lawyers and policy professionals to create teams that provide exceptional client solutions. We marry action with vision, success with dedication, method with passion, and innovation with creativity.
Our firm is recognized consistently for providing clients with the most sophisticated solutions to legal challenges around the world.
If you wish to learn more about K&L Gates Ireland LLP and services they provide, please visit their website: https://www.klgates.com/Dublin or visit K&L Gates LLP profile on LinkedIn and Twitter!

Business Seminar ‘Ireland as a Strategic Investment Location’ | Photo Gallery

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Last week, on Thursday, 27th April, Dillon Eustace hosted a business seminar ‘Ireland as a Strategic Investment Location’, organised in cooperation between the IJA, Dillon Eustace, Cpl and IDA Ireland. Event offered a great opportunity to learn more about the benefits of investing in Ireland, the various supports and resources available, and some of the legal aspects to consider when contemplating investing or establishing a presence in Ireland.

 

From left: Adrian Benson (Dillon Eustace), Emma Mitchell (IDA Ireland), Stephen Mullin (Cpl), H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan in Ireland, Catherine Grennell-Whyte (IJA), and Philip Lee (Dillon Eustace)

Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson

Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson, addressed the audience and welcomed everyone to the event, introducing also the participants of the panel:
  • Adrian Benson, Partner and Head of the Corporate and M&A team, Dillon Eustace, moderator of panel,
  • Lorna Conn, CEO, Cpl,
  • Emma Mitchell, Business Development Manager, Growth Markets at IDA Ireland,
  • Philip Lee, Partner, Corporate Department, Dillon Eustace.

H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan in Ireland, attended event and met with event participants.

The panel discussion was followed by networking and refreshments.

 

Adrian Benson, Partner and Head of the Corporate and M&A team, Dillon Eustace, moderator of panel

 

Lorna Conn, CEO, Cpl

 

Emma Mitchell, Business Development Manager, Growth Markets at IDA Ireland

 

Philip Lee, Partner, Corporate Department, Dillon Eustace

We would like to thank all our amazing panelists from Dillon Eustace, Cpl and IDA Ireland, everyone who attended this event, and last but not least – huge thanks to hosts – Dillon Eustace team – for the warm welcome and all the work to make sure this event ran smoothly.
Click on the image to open it!
Then click on the image to enlarge it!

 

Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda Scholarship in 2023 is awarded to Ben Murphy (UL)

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The Ireland Japan Association is delighted to announce that in 2023 the Ushioda Scholarship is awarded to Ben Murphy, studying Japanese at University of Limerick. Ben will be travelling to Japan for an exchange year at Waseda University, Tokyo.

 

 

‘My name is Ben, and I have always wanted to explore and discover another culture and language. Studying Japanese in UL has granted me the opportunity to do so. Since my first class in Japanese, I have been captivated by Japan and its history and culture. I have met some of my closest friends, both Japanese and non-Japanese through my studies, and I hope to see them all in Japan when I complete my study abroad in Japanese at Waseda University in Tokyo!’ – Ben Murphy

 

We would like to thank Ms Paula Kelly, IJA Council, for her support and assistance with the scholarship management and administration process this year.

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Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda Scholarship was established in 2019 in honour of Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda’s major contribution to the development of the Ireland Japan Association and Ireland-Japan relations, and to underpin the association’s strong commitment to supporting Japanese studies in Ireland.

Evening with Japanese renowned writer and film director Kōji Fukada in Dublin

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On Thursday, 30th March, IJA members had a rare and unique opportunity to meet Japanese renowned writer and film director Kōji Fukada during his first visit to Ireland. He was one of the special guests at the East Asia Film Festival Ireland, attending his film screening and masterclass in Dublin.

Our members and invited guests met with director Fukada at a small and intimate meet & greet event in Dublin city centre, listening to stories and passion behind his films, and participating in conversations with director Fukada and Japanese Ambassador to Ireland – Norio Maruyama.

 

We would like to thank Keiko Nakata, Embassy of Japan, Azumi Uchitani, ElectroRoute and Tsugumi Yamamoto, IJA, for their support to make this event so special and memorable for everyone.

Event was organised by the Embassy of Japan in Ireland in cooperation with the Ireland Japan Association and ElectroRoute.

Photos: Embassy of Japan in Ireland

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)

 

EU-Japan News | March 2023 Issue Available Now

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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!

Tag Archive for: IJA

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