Tag Archive for: Ireland Japan Association

IJA Bounenkai End of Year Party 2024 | PHOTO GALLERY

/in /by

The IJA Council would like to extend a heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended the annual IJA Bounenkai End of Year Party on 28th November at Yamamori Izakaya Japas & Sake in Dublin. Your presence truly made the evening special, and we hope you enjoyed celebrating the culmination of this year’s hard work.

.

.

Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson, warmly welcomed event guests and initiated the festivities with a traditional Japanese Kanpai toast.

.

We would like to express our deepest appreciation to H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland and IJA Patron, for honouring us with his presence and delivering a heartfelt farewell message as he concludes his service in Ireland and prepares to return to Japan.

.

Our sincere thanks also go to the IJA event team and our exceptional hosts at Yamamori Izakaya Japas & Sake for their warm hospitality and for ensuring the event was a resounding success.

.

Here’s to creating more wonderful memories together in the future!

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Photos: Eddie Hughes & Miyu Ishikawa

.

.

Ikebana Autumn Workshops with Tomoko Sempo Yanagi | PHOTO GALLERY

/in /by

We had a wonderful time at the Ikebana Autumn Workshops in October, diving into the beautiful world of Ikebana, the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging and learning from the esteemed Tomoko Sempo Yanagi, Professor of Ikenobo Ikebana Society and Chairperson of Ikenobo Ikebana UK & Ireland Group.

.


.
We would like to thank Tomoko san for her expertise, passion, and guidance throughout the workshops, and all the participants who joined us in celebrating and exploring Japanese culture during this seasonal event. It was a weekend filled with inspiration, education, and new connections.
.
A special thanks to Pauline and the team at the Warrenmount Education Centre in Dublin for the warm welcome and for providing a comfortable space for us all to learn and create.
.

About Tomoko Sempo Yanagi
Tomoko Sempo Yanagi is a president of Ikenobo UK and Ireland Group and holds professor status with the Ikenobo School of Ikebana. Experienced in Ikebana since childhood. Her first public Ikebana demonstration was in California in 1989. After she moved to the UK in 1998, she exhibited her Ikebana works and conducted workshops at various places and occasions including The Embassy of Japan, Hammersmith and Fulham Flower Show, Google European HQ (Dublin), Cisco Poland, Flower Council of Holland, and a range of secondary schools in London. She was awarded a bronze medal at the Royal Horticultural Society, London Flower Show in 2001. Educated and lived in Japan, the US and the UK, she is also a mother of Irish/Japanese boys.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Photos: Archive of Tomoko Sempo Yanagi
.
.
.
.
.

IJA Japanese Book Club event featuring Irish writer and poet Nell Regan | PHOTO GALLERY

/in /by

The IJA Japanese Book Club event featuring Irish writer and poet Nell Regan was held on Saturday, 21st September and was hosted by ElectroRoute, an IJA corporate member, in Dublin city center.

.

.

The event provided a special opportunity for book club members and Japanese poetry enthusiasts to meet Nell Regan in person and learn about the book ‘百人一首 – 100 Poems by 100 Poets’, as well as her work translating it into English with James Hadley. Nell’s presentation was captivating, allowing us to delve into the richness of Japanese literature and appreciate her remarkable talent for poetry.

.

.

We extend our gratitude to Ambassador Maruyama for joining the event and reading some of the original poems from the book in Japanese.

.

.

Attendees also had the chance to engage in a traditional Japanese card game and savor delicious, freshly baked Japanese treats provided by Gopan Bakery.

Special thanks to Tsugumi Yamamoto, IJA Vice Chairperson, for coordinating this event, and to our wonderful hosts at ElectroRoute for their excellent hospitality throughout the event.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

 

.

.

 

 

Academic Bridge Ltd joins the IJA as a Corporate member

/in /by

Ireland Japan Association is delighted to welcome Academic Bridge Ltd, Dublin-based English school, on board the IJA as a Corporate member, and is looking forward to a long lasting and successful cooperation.

.

.

Founded in 2010, the school first opened its doors in September 2012, welcoming students from various parts of the world, including Japan, and offering a high-quality English language courses for non-native speakers as well as Cambridge and IELTS preparation courses.

.

Academic Bridge was founded with the mission to provide a unique educational experience for international students who wish to learn English in Dublin. Our commitment goes beyond just teaching the language; we aim to offer a full cultural immersion, helping our students explore new cultures and broaden their horizons. – Roberto Kobashigawa, Academic Bridge Ltd.

.

The school is dedicated to providing the best English learning experience by using a unique methodology allowing students to make significant progress during their study time. In 2015, to accommodate its rapid growth, the school relocated to a more spacious building in one of Dublin’s historic areas near O’Connell Street. Academic Bridge Ltd. was among the first schools in Ireland to implement and offer the Learner’s Protection Policy to its students.

.

Continuously evolving, the school actively participates in international student fairs and expands its networking. In 2016, it became part of the official ILEP list, which consists of government-approved education programs meeting specific standards and requirements, provided by universities, colleges, and English language schools. In 2024, the school joined the Ireland Japan Association’s network of corporate members.

.

We are incredibly happy to have this opportunity to be part of the IJA. Being a member of this association is a significant step for us, as we are always exploring and incorporating new cultures into our English exchange program. We believe this partnership will be mutually beneficial and open up many opportunities for our students. – Roberto Kobashigawa, Academic Bridge Ltd.

.

For more information about Academic Bridge Ltd, please visit website: https://academicbridge.ie. You can also follow their updates on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

 

.

.

Cpl team wins the IJA Ishikawa Golf Cup 2024

/in /by
The IJA Annual Golf Outing 2024 tournament took place on 5th September at the beautiful Foxrock Golf Club, Dublin.
.
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.
.

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.

.
Iskikawa Cup 2024 winners: Cpl Team
Stephen Mullin
Johnnie O’Connor
Ian Sparling
Tom Fitzgerald
.
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.
.
.
.
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.
.
.
.
.
.
.
A special thanks go to our generous prize sponsors:
.
.
.

Cork Chamber of Commerce and the IJA agrees reciprocal membership

/in /by

Ireland Japan Association is delighted to announce that reciprocal membership has been agreed with the Cork Chamber of Commerce, the leading business organisation for the promotion and development of economic and commercial activity in Co. Cork and the region. The IJA Council is looking forward to building a long-standing and successful business relationship with the Cork Chamber and its members.

.

.

Cork Chamber of Commerce has been a champion for the business community and a strong advocate for the economic development of the Cork region for over 200 years.

.

‘As the voice of Chamber members, through our public affairs and communications activity, we engage proactively with Government and key stakeholders on pressing regional business issues like talent attraction and retention, housing, transport, and climate action to collaboratively drive a positive and progressive agenda, creating a world leading business environment.’ – Annie FitzGibbon, Director of Member Services at Cork Chamber

.

In addition connecting to international networks through trade missions, events and business-matching initiatives, while raising the profile of Cork internationally to support the attraction of investment and talent to the region is a key priority for Cork Chamber.

.

‘We support companies at every stage with a variety of impactful services, providing opportunities to network and connect through a dynamic events programme, to stay informed through exemplary communications, to maintain competitiveness with high quality training and to shine a spotlight on your business with strong promotional channels. Working together we empower and support a successful and inclusive membership who drive a thriving Cork.’ – Annie FitzGibbon, Director of Member Services at Cork Chamber

.

If you wish to learn more about the Cork Chamber of Commerce and services they provide, please visit their website and follow the Cork Chamber on social media: LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.

.

.

.

Google Ireland joins the IJA as a Corporate member

/in /by

Ireland Japan Association is delighted to welcome Google Ireland, one of the world’s leading multinational corporations and technology companies specialising in internet-related services and products, on board the IJA as a Corporate member, and is looking forward to a long lasting and successful cooperation.

.

.

‘I’m delighted to become a member of the Ireland Japan Association and excited about the potential for collaboration.’ – Teresa Weafer, Government Affairs & Public Policy Community Affairs Manager

.

Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. That’s why Search makes it easy to discover a broad range of information from a wide variety of sources.

.

Google Ireland is Google’s Europe, Middle East and Africa Headquarters. Google established its first office in Ireland in 2003 with just five employees and has now grown to a workforce of over 9000 people from over 100 countries.

.

Google Ireland serves as a hub for dozens of functions and teams supporting Google’s global operations.

.

LinkedIn

.

.

Argentine Tango and Japan | Carlos Rivarola 2024 European Tour

/in /by

We are excited to present a delightful cultural afternoon, “Argentine Tango & Japan,” featuring the internationally acclaimed legend of Argentine Tango, maestro Carlos Rivarola (1952, Argentina), who has made a remarkable contribution to Japan over the last consequent four decades.

.

This special occasion will coincide with his 4th visit to Ireland, organised by Tango Classes Lucia & Gerry as part of his 2024 European tour during the month of the Japanese Sakura festival, putting a spotlight on cultural friendship, with the honorary presence of the Embassy of Argentina and the Embassy of Japan, warmly supported by Ireland Japan Association.

.

.

The focal point of the afternoon is an engaging Interview with Carlos Rivarola, accompanied by an interactive Q&A session, moderated by Azumi Uchitani, followed by his signature, graceful Tango Performance.

.

Throughout the event, we aim to showcase the works of the legendary Tango maestro, Carlos Rivarola, highlighting his profound contribution and friendship with Japan with the artistry of Argentine Tango.

.

We extend a warm welcome to everyone who cherishes cultural friendship in the global community as well as tango enthusiasts.

.

Date: Saturday 20 April

Time: 14:00 – 15:30

Venue: Laurel’s Ballroom, Royal Marine Hotel,

Address: Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin A96K063

.

Programme: 

14:00 Welcome, accompanied by a glass of Sake, and coffee & tea

14:15 Introduction

14:30 Interviews and Q&A session

15:00 Tango Performance

15:30 Closing

.

Ticket Price: 30 euro

Booking & Contact: office@azumiuchitani.com

Tickets are available to purchase at Eventbrite

 

More Info: https://www.azumiuchitani.com/tango

.

About Carlos Rivarola  (カルロス  リバローラ)

Carlos Rivarola (born 1952, Argentina) is regarded as one of the top 10 influential Argentine tango dancers of our time, a choreographer, and an actor. Renowned globally for his role in the groundbreaking Tango Argentino show, premiered in 1983, Rivarola has been a pivotal figure in revitalizing tango on the world stage.

.

Alongside María Rivarola, his partner both on and off the dance floor, he has left an indelible mark on the tango world. Their artistic journey has taken them across continents, with annual performances in Japan since 1984 and the creation of the first all-Japanese tango show under Rivarola’s direction in 1986. Rivarola’s cinematic contributions include notable roles in films like “Tango Bar” (1989) and “Naked Tango” (1991), and his choreography in Carlos Saura’s “Tango” earned him the 1999 National Choreography Award from the United States Academy of Cinematic Arts and Sciences.

.

Beyond performance, Rivarola is a dedicated educator, serving as a professor at the National University Institute of Art (IUNA) and contributing to tango literature with works like “Así se baila el tango argentino,” co-authored with Yoyi Kanematz. As a co-founder and president of the Argentine Tango Teachers, Dancers, and Choreographers Association (AMBCTA), Rivarola continues to champion the professional interests of tango artists, leaving an enduring legacy in the world of Argentine tango.

.

Organised by:

Tango Lucia Seva & Gerry Roche

Azumi Uchitani Communications

.

Supported by:

Embassy of Argentina in Ireland

Embassy of Japan in Ireland

Ireland Japan Association

.

.

Business Seminar ‘Driving Business Growth through Sustainability’ | PHOTO GALLERY

/in /by

On 21st February, Ireland Japan Association and Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce (IJCC) invited their members to participate in the business seminar ‘Driving Business Growth through Sustainability’ which was hosted in Dublin by the IJA and IJCC member PwC Ireland. This was our second collaboration event with the Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce.

.

From L-R: Dominic Keogh, IJCC, Mary Honohan, PwC Ireland, David Swan, Chief Operations & Sustainability Officer at SMBC Aviation Capital, Jeff Aherne, CEO at EVHACS, Ruairi Williamson, Managing Director at Hitachi Energy, and Caoimhe Giblin, Commercial Director at ElectroRoute.

.

H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, opened the event, and we were delighted to welcome a list of experts for the panel discussion: David Swan, Chief Operations & Sustainability Officer at SMBC Aviation Capital, Caoimhe Giblin, Commercial Director at ElectroRoute, Jeff Aherne, CEO at EVHACS, and Ruairi Williamson, Managing Director at Hitachi Energy. Event was moderated by Dominic Keogh, IJCC.

.

During event our experts shared examples and case studies of how their companies are using sustainability as a driver for business growth and what the future holds for sustainability, offering first-hand access to industry leading practices that can be adapted for businesses across Ireland. Discussions were followed by Q&A session and networking.

.

H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland

.

David Swan, Chief Operations & Sustainability Officer, SMBC Aviation Capital

.

Jeff Aherne, CEO, EVHACS

.

Ruairi Williamson, Managing Director, Hitachi Energy

.

Caoimhe Giblin, Commercial Director, ElectroRoute

.

Moderator of the event: Dominic Keogh, IJCC

.

.

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.

.

Photos: Azumi Uchitani

.

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

/in /by

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.
.
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.

.

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.

.

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.
.

ALPS Electric (Ireland) Ltd. is certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and IATF 16949 and holds quality awards from Jaguar Landrover and Volvo.

.

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!

.

.

Tag Archive for: Ireland Japan Association

IJA Japanese Language Courses 2025

/in /by

Are you ready to elevate your Japanese communication skills to the next level? Join one of the two IJA Japanese Language Courses starting in January 2025, and take the next step towards mastering Japanese for personal and professional use.

.

.
.

BASIC / FOUNDATION JAPANESE LANGUAGE COURSE

.
Starting: Tuesday, 14th January 2025 (4 weeks)
Time: 6.30 – 8 PM (90min classes)
Venue: Dillon Eustace, 33 Sir John Rogerson’s33 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2
Join Online: Remote attendance will be available for 2nd and 3rd classes via Zoom for those who can’t attend in person.
.
Who this course is designed for?
* Anyone with no or very little Japanese language experience.
* Anyone who is thinking of visiting Japan as a tourist or on business.
* Anyone who has been to Japan in the past and would like to know more about the country.
* Anyone who would like a little “taste” of Japanese before studying in college or doing Japanese language studies.
.
Cost: €100 – IJA Members | €160 Non-Members
* Spaces are limited and early booking is advised. Advised age group: 18+
* All materials and handouts will be provided and are included in the price.
* The course will only take place if a minimum of 5 participants sign up.
.

BEGINNER/ IMPROVER JAPANESE LANGUAGE COURSE

.
Starting: Thursday, 16th January 2025 (4 weeks)
Time: 6.30 – 8 PM (90min classes)
Venue: Dillon Eustace, 33 Sir John Rogerson’s33 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2
Join Online: Remote attendance will be available for 2nd and 3rd classes via Zoom for those who can’t attend in person.
.
Who this course is designed for?
* Anyone with some Japanese language experience.
* Anyone who studied the Leaving Certificate Japanese or studied for JLPT N5 level in the past, and would like to maintain some of the knowledge.
* Anyone who has lived in Japan in the past and would like to refresh some language skills.
* Anyone who would like to communicate with Japanese colleagues or friends in Japanese.
.
Cost: €100 – IJA Members | €160 Non-Members
* Spaces are limited and early booking is advised. Advised age group: 18+
* All materials and handouts will be provided and are included in the price.
* The course will only take place if a minimum of 5 participants sign up.
.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity and sign up for the course today!
.
.
READY TO PARTICIPATE?
.
1. Contact us to reserve your spot now!
To book your place, please RSVP by Monday, 6th January 2025 by email: info@ija.ie, or call: 01-6787008. Please note that cancellations should be made by Monday, 6th January 2025. After this date refunds will not be available.
.
2. Fill out the Questionnaire!
Please fill out this questionnaire and our Japanese Language Teacher will use the information provided to establish which of the both courses is more suitable for your current language level in order for you to gain the most from the classes:
.
.
This course is organized in cooperation with IJA Corporate Member – Dillon Eustace.

.

.

.