Posts

Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda Scholarship in 2019 is awarded to Sophia Herar

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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 2019, the scholarship was awarded to Ms. Sophia Herar, studying for BA in Applied Language and Translation Studies, DCU. Sophia is going to study in Japan for a year at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies.

Sophia Herar – the first recipient of Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda Scholarship in 2019

The official presentation of the scholarship took place in August 2019 at DCU with Ms. Sophia Herar, Mrs. Yoshiko Ushioda, IJA founder member and Scholarship Patron, Mr. Yasuyuki Ozeki, IJA Vice-Chaiperson, Mr. Donagh Morris, IJA Council, Mr. Kenichiro Sasame, Counsellor and DHM of the Embassy of Japan in Ireland and representatives from DCU in attendance.

I feel honored to have received the scholarship and I am happy that all my hard work these last few years has paid off. I believe that everyone who manages to turn their passion for Japanese into motivation and action, is going to be rewarded for it – be that through a scholarship or the experience of living in Japan itself. I feel incredibly lucky that I get a chance to experience all this and that the IJA and Mrs. Ushioda decided to support me with the scholarship. – Sophia Herar

We would like to thank Mr. Donagh Morris, IJA Council, and everybody at DCU for their support and assistance with the scholarship management and administration process this year.

MUFG Investor Services joins IJA as a corporate member

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Ireland Japan Association (IJA) is delighted to welcome asset servicing, banking and fund financing leaders MUFG Investor Services on board IJA as a Corporate member and is looking forward to a long lasting and successful cooperation.

MUFG Investor Services is an industry leader in asset servicing, banking and fund financing, working with some of the largest investment firms in the world.

We are a core business for Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (“MUFG”), one of the largest global banks with more than US$2.7 trillion in assets.  Our global scale, breadth of services, and industry leading technology, allow us to build partnerships with our clients and create distinctive solutions that meet their specific priorities.

In recent years we have strategically acquired firms in the asset servicing industry and successfully grown our business in terms of client and employee retention.

The firm continues to be fully committed to this business; a consistent, top tier provider with a global presence – administering US$582 billion in assets globally.

If you would like to find out more about MUFG Investor Services please visit their website: https://www.mufg-investorservices.com

RetroVino joins IJA as a Corporate member

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Ireland Japan Association (IJA) is delighted to welcome wine and sake wholesaler RetroVino (RetroSake) on board IJA as a Corporate member and is looking forward to a long lasting and successful cooperation.

Retrosake are a Dublin based sake (and wine) importer supplying restaurants, off-licenses and private clients.

Our passion for premium sake is reflected in our portfolio. We only supply traditionally-brewed additive-free sake, which we buy directly from renowned producers in Japan, and import temperature controlled into Ireland. We look forward to sharing some sake with IJA members and continue to increase the awareness of sake in Ireland.  

RetroVino/Retrosake is offering a list of services – building bespoke wine lists, supplying restaurants with wine and sake, wine sourcing, shipping and storing, expert wine cellar advice on the acquisition and storage of wines, tastings, staff training and wedding services.

If you wish to learn more about RetroVino/RetroSake and services they provide, please visit their website: http://www.retrovino.com

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Mitsubishi Electric team wins IJA Golf Outing Cup 2019

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Annual IJA Golf Outing took place on 27th June at the the beautiful Castle Golf Club in Rathfarnham, Dublin.

We would like to thank all the teams who participated in the tournament and send special congratulations to the winners – Mitsubishi Electric team who won the IJA Golf Cup 2019 this year:

Ciaran Moody 
Fergus Daly 
Liam Hoctor 
Brendan Clarke 

Photo: Mitsubishi Electric

Many thanks to all the teams who participated in the tournament this year: Dillon Eustace, AIB, Bank of Ireland and SuMi Trust.

We would like to thank everybody who helped to organize this event: IJA Council members Shane Geraghty, Eoghan Howe and Darina Slattery.

Big thanks goes to IJA Council member Neil Maher and Mitsubishi Electric for providing goody bags to all participants, and many thanks to all the teams who sponsored prizes for prize-giving.

We are thankful to our hosts at the Castle golf club for all the help and support before and during our event, and last but not least – our thanks goes to all the participants who joined us on this day and made it such a great success.

We are looking forward to our Golf Outing 2020 next year!

EU-Japan News | June 2019 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 June 2019 Newsletter is available now with the EU and Japan related news, partnering opportunities, Enterprise Europe 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 2019 Newsletter here!

Fexco joins IJA as a Corporate member

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Ireland Japan Association (IJA) is delighted to welcome  financial and business solutions provider Fexco on board IJA as a Corporate member and is looking forward to a long lasting and successful cooperation.

Fexco is Ireland’s most successful multinational financial and business solutions provider, with operations in 29 countries worldwide.

Founded and headquartered in Ireland in 1981, Fexco employs more than 2,300 people across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North America, Latin America and Australasia.

For thirty six years, Fexco has been driven by an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit. This ethos has brought the company to new regions and industries of growth, connecting customers with exciting new opportunities. Through its strategic commitment to innovation, project delivery and customer service, Fexco has built a global network of partners and customers and is an internationally admired and respected organisation.

Fexco enables customers, companies and economies to unlock their potential in financial transaction services and business solutions and is pursuing an ambitious domestic and international growth strategy.

Fexco serves some of the world’s biggest brands across multiple industries through a wide range of innovative products and services, including Dynamic Currency Conversion, Bank to Bank Transfers, Retail FX, Managed Business Solutions and Tax Free Retail Services.

If you wish to learn more about Fexco and services they provide, please visit their website: https://fexco.com

Business and Economic Briefing | 29 May 2019

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Hosted by SMBC Bank EU AG at their Dublin office, and in partnership with  JETRO London and Ireland Japan Association, the Business and Economic Briefing took place on Wednesday, 29th May 2019.

The briefing was designed to provide attendees with latest insights into Japan-EU relationship, current economic situation and business opportunities.

Presentation ‘Japan-EU Relationship, Economic Outlook & Business Opportunities’  was given by Takumi Fujino, Director General, JETRO London. In his presentation he reviewed Japan-EU EPA and its advantages, improvements to the market between EU and Japan as well as investment and development opportunities.

With a better environment for investment in EU as a result of the Japan-EU EPA, more and more Japanese companies are planning to expand business cooperation in the EU.

Satoshi Okagawa, SMBC Senior Global Markets Analyst, and Sujin Lim, Vice President, SMBC Bank EU AG, Treasury Department introduced attendees to presentation ‘European Crisis Again?’ providing great insight into current situation of the global economy, financial market trends and development.

Briefing was followed by informal networking and refreshments.

We would like to thank all guest speakers, attendees of the briefing and SMBC Bank EU AG for their support and hosting this event in Dublin.

Photos: SMBC Bank EU AG

The Killester Travel group joins IJA as a Corporate member

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Ireland Japan Association (IJA) is delighted to welcome The Killester Travel group on board IJA as a Corporate member and is looking forward to a long lasting and successful cooperation.

The Killester Travel group have been at the forefront of Business, Sport and Leisure Travel for more than three decades. Since it was established in 1977 the company has grown to become one of Ireland’s leading Travel and Sports event companies.

The Killester Travel group consists of Theflyinggolfer.com , Munster Sports Travel, Leinster Sports Travel, Ulster Sports Travel, Kerry Sports Travel.

As official carrier to both the Ulster and Munster rugby teams we are in a position to provide a full range of supporter and corporate rugby packages to all Heineken Cup and Rabo Direct league games.

We also have an official allocation of tickets for Croke Park, Thomond Park, RDS and the new Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road and offer a range of quality corporate hospitality and supporter packages for both home and away games in the 6 Nations Championship, Autumn Internationals and World cup tournaments.

Theflyinggolfer.com golfing holidays section boasts a thirty-five year track record for quality driven corporate and leisure golf tours and travel on every continent and continue to search out and develop new destinations and innovative golf tours.

The Killester Travel also have a full selection of Sun, Ski and Cruise holidays for individuals, groups and families.

If you wish to learn more about The Killester Travel group and services they provide, please visit their website: https://www.killestertravel.com

Read the Tokyo Journal for FREE | Exclusive to the IJA Members only

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We are delighted to let you know that we have secured an exclusive opportunity for the IJA members to have full access to the digital version of the Tokyo Journal, one of the oldest English magazines from Japan sold across bookstores in Japan and internationally.

If you are a Corporate or Individual member of the IJA and would like to get free access to the quarterly issue of the Tokyo Journal, please contact us by email: info@ija.ie and we will send you log-in details to access the newest issue online.

The magazine was established in 1981 and since the early ’80s, it has been distributed in major bookstores throughout Japan as well as internationally. For over three decades, the Tokyo Journal has provided a glimpse into Japanese culture, all sectors of life and styles, entertainment, and events, often through the eyes of those who have travelled and lived there.

In 2017, Tokyo Journal received the Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Travel and Tourism’s Japan Travel Agency Commissioner’s Award.

 

 

IJA Annual General Meeting 2019 | Review

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The 29th Annual General Meeting for the Ireland Japan Association took place on Wednesday, 20th March 2019 the AIB Bankcentre, Dublin.

During her speech, Darina Slattery, IJA Chairperson, thanked the outgoing Council members for their work, participation and team effort throughout the past year, Embassy of Japan for continuous support to the IJA, and everyone who attended the AGM.

Darina Slattery noted that 2018 was a very busy year for the IJA – 20 business and culture events were organized throughout the past year (16 events in 2018 and 4 events in 2019), including Origami and Ikebana workshops, four Japanese language courses, Mrs. Ushioda’s book launch celebration, Social night and Student membership launch, Business briefings in cooperation with the IJA Corporate members, trips to Japanese gardens in Tramore and Christmas experience in Causey farm, IJA Annual Dinner, Annual Golf Outing, Bilingual language seminar, Japanese Noh ‘Between the Stones’ workshops and Bounenkai celebration at the end of the year.

IJA also supported five organizations with donations in 2018: Dublin School for Japanese Children (DSJC), Experience Japan festival in Dublin, Japanese Film Festival, 16th Japanese Speech Contest and Pieta House.

Darina Slattery informed that IJA member’s network has 35 corporate members and 44 individual members. Two new corporate members have recently joined the IJA – Grant Thornton Ireland and First Names Group. Darina Slattery thanked AIB for continuous support and decision to remain as a Patron member for 2019.

Summary of IJA Financial Statements for 2018 was given to the AGM attendees, membership subscription fees were approved for 2019/2020 and the new IJA Council members were announced.

Darina Slattery thanked Karl O’Reilly (KWE Ireland) and Brian Marconi (JTI Ireland) for their work at the IJA Council in the past years. Both have stepped down at the AGM after three years of service at the IJA Council. Darina Slattery welcomed two new Council members – Verity Swan who will represent IJA Individual members and Tsugumi Yamamoto (Grant Thornton Ireland) who will represent Corporate members at the IJA Council in 2019.

The newly elected IJA Council for 2019:

  1. Darina Slattery, Unique Japan Tours (Chairperson)
  2. Yasuyuki Ozeki, JETRO (Vice-Chairperson)
  3. Donagh Morris, Individual Member
  4. Hiro Ino, Individual Member
  5. Paula Kelly, Individual Member
  6. Raymond Hegarty, Individual Member
  7. Verity Swan, Individual Member
  8. Eoghan Howe, BOI Corporate Banking
  9. Graham Ryan, Yamamori
  10. Neil Maher, Mitsubishi Electric
  11. Niall Moriarty, AIB Corporate Banking
  12. Shane Geraghty, Dillon Eustace
  13. Tsugumi Yamamoto, Grant Thornton Ireland

 

Events

Takasago & Between the Stones | Wexford

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We are delighted to invite you to a rare and unique programme of classical and contemporary noh ‘Takasago & Between the Stones’ to celebrate Japan Season of Culture in the year of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Noh is a highly aesthetic classical Japanese theatre style featuring dance, music and poetry. Acclaimed artists Teruhisa and Kinue Oshima, and Akira Matsui, collaborate with Jannette Cheong and Richard Emmert once again in celebration of the 2020 Japan Season of Culture.

Date: Sunday, 2nd February 2020
Time: 7.30 p.m.
Venue: The National Opera House, High Street, Wexford
Tickets: €25 Book here!

The programme:

Takasago, written by Zeami, is one of the most important and well known plays in the classical noh repertoire. It deals with the legend of the twin pines of Sumiyoshi and Takasago. According to legend, the spirit of the Sumiyoshi pine travels across Osaka Bay nightly to visit his wife, the Takasago pine, in a bond that transcends space and time. Takasago will be performed as han-noh, literally a “half noh”, featuring the very quick and strong second half of the play.

Between the Stones is the third collaboration between author Jannette Cheong and founder of Theatre Nohgaku, Richard Emmert, and the second co-production with Unanico. It explores how the burden of grief turns into a celebration of life, friendship and love, through the healing power of gardens. The lead role will be played by Kinue Oshima, the only professional female noh actor in the Kita school. Kinue Oshima was also the lead actor in the first Cheong-Emmert collaboration, Pagoda (2009) – the first time that the Oshima Theatre and Theatre Nohgaku worked together on a joint production. Pagoda had its world premiere at the Southbank Centre in 2009 and went on to tour Dublin, Oxford and Paris and then opened at the National Noh Theatre in Tokyo in 2011 and toured to Kyoto, Beijing (at the National Centre for the Performing Arts) and Hong Kong. Pagoda was the first time for a British artist to write a new contemporary noh using classical techniques.

BOOK NOW!

More information: https://www.nationaloperahouse.ie/whats-on/show/takasago-between-the-stones

This collaboration is co-produced with Unanico in association with the Oshima Theatre and Theatre Nohgaku and supported by Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Electric and the Ireland-Japan Association. 

Noh Mask Making Workshop with Hideta Kitazawa | Wexford

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We are very happy to let you know that in addition to the both noh ‘Takasago & Between the Stones’ performances in Kilkenny and Wexford, the production tour will include the Noh Mask Making Workshop of master mask maker, Hideta Kitazawa, who will give a lecture demonstration as part of the project’s extensive (2018-2020) ‘Getting to Noh’ programme of educational and outreach work.

Date: Sunday, 2nd February 2020
Time: 4.30 p.m.
Venue: The National Opera House, High Street, Wexford
Tickets: €12 – Book here!

Mask Maker Kitazawa has been making masks for both classical and contemporary noh for more than two decades. He has had a special relationship with Richard Emmert and Theatre Nohgaku for much of this period, and also for the last 10 years with Jannette Cheong.

Mask maker and Shinto Temple carver, Hideta Kitazawa, chose to follow in his father’s footsteps and became a second generation woodcarving artist. In 1991, after graduating from the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology with a major in Forestry Studies, he went on to begin intensive woodcarving studies with his father Ikkyou Kitazawa. Since then, he has been the recipient of a number of awards, including the ‘Outstanding Young Artisan’ award.

BOOK NOW!

More information: https://www.nationaloperahouse.ie/whats-on/show/takasago-between-the-stones

This collaboration is co-produced with Unanico in association with the Oshima Theatre and Theatre Nohgaku and supported by Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Electric and the Ireland-Japan Association.

Photos: Betweenthestones.com

Takasago & Between the Stones | Kilkenny

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We are delighted to invite you to a rare and unique programme of classical and contemporary noh ‘Takasago & Between the Stones’ to celebrate Japan Season of Culture in the year of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Noh is a highly aesthetic classical Japanese theatre style featuring dance, music and poetry. Acclaimed artists Teruhisa and Kinue Oshima, and Akira Matsui, collaborate with Jannette Cheong and Richard Emmert once again in celebration of the 2020 Japan Season of Culture.

Date: Saturday, 1st February 2020
Time: 7.30 p.m.
Venue: Watergate Theatre, Parliament Street, Kilkenny
Tickets: €25 – Book here!

The programme:

Takasago, written by Zeami, is one of the most important and well known plays in the classical noh repertoire. It deals with the legend of the twin pines of Sumiyoshi and Takasago. According to legend, the spirit of the Sumiyoshi pine travels across Osaka Bay nightly to visit his wife, the Takasago pine, in a bond that transcends space and time. Takasago will be performed as han-noh, literally a “half noh”, featuring the very quick and strong second half of the play.

Between the Stones is the third collaboration between author Jannette Cheong and founder of Theatre Nohgaku, Richard Emmert, and the second co-production with Unanico. It explores how the burden of grief turns into a celebration of life, friendship and love, through the healing power of gardens. The lead role will be played by Kinue Oshima, the only professional female noh actor in the Kita school. Kinue Oshima was also the lead actor in the first Cheong-Emmert collaboration, Pagoda (2009) – the first time that the Oshima Theatre and Theatre Nohgaku worked together on a joint production. Pagoda had its world premiere at the Southbank Centre in 2009 and went on to tour Dublin, Oxford and Paris and then opened at the National Noh Theatre in Tokyo in 2011 and toured to Kyoto, Beijing (at the National Centre for the Performing Arts) and Hong Kong. Pagoda was the first time for a British artist to write a new contemporary noh using classical techniques.

BOOK NOW!

More information: https://watergatetheatre.ie/watergate_events/takasago-between-the-stones-2/

This collaboration is co-produced with Unanico in association with Oshima Theatre and Theatre Nohgaku and supported by Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Electric and the Ireland-Japan Association.  

Noh Mask Making Workshop with Hideta Kitazawa | Kilkenny

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We are very happy to let you know that in addition to the both noh ‘Takasago & Between the Stones’ performances in Kilkenny and Wexford, the production tour will include the Noh Mask Making Workshop of master mask maker, Hideta Kitazawa, who will give a lecture demonstration as part of the project’s extensive (2018-2020) ‘Getting to Noh’ programme of educational and outreach work.

Date: Saturday, 1st February 2020
Time: 4.30 p.m.
Venue: Watergate Theatre, Parliament Street, Kilkenny
Tickets: €12 – Book here!

Mask Maker Kitazawa has been making masks for both classical and contemporary noh for more than two decades. He has had a special relationship with Richard Emmert and Theatre Nohgaku for much of this period, and also for the last 10 years with Jannette Cheong.

Mask maker and Shinto Temple carver, Hideta Kitazawa, chose to follow in his father’s footsteps and became a second generation woodcarving artist. In 1991, after graduating from the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology with a major in Forestry Studies, he went on to begin intensive woodcarving studies with his father Ikkyou Kitazawa. Since then, he has been the recipient of a number of awards, including the ‘Outstanding Young Artisan’ award.

BOOK NOW!

More information: https://watergatetheatre.ie/watergate_events/noh-mask-making-workshop-with-hideta-kitazawa/

This collaboration is co-produced with Unanico in association with the Oshima Theatre and Theatre Nohgaku and supported by Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Electric and the Ireland-Japan Association.

Photos: Betweenthestones.com

Bounenkai: End of the Year Party

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We are happy to announce that one of our most anticipated and exciting cultural events of the year – Bounenkai: End of the Year Party – will take place on Thursday, 28th November at Yamamori Sushi, Dublin.

Bounenkai is the way Japanese companies, families and friends celebrate the end of year together, in a casual setting. We hope you can join us for celebrations, delicious dinner and amazing evening together in a Dublin city centre venue!

More details coming soon!

Japanese Fine Dining Evening | Ichigo Ichie – Cork

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**SOLD OUT**

The Ireland Japan Association is delighted to invite you the unique Japanese fine dining evening at the Michelin star restaurant Ichigo Ichie, Cork city on Friday, 8th November.

Date: Friday, 8th November 2019
Time: 9.15 PM
Venue: Ichigo Ichie, 5 Fenns Quay, Sheares Street, Cork, T12 RY7Y

Tickets: €100 (IJA members) | €120 (non-members)
Drinks are not included.

Ichigo Ichie (meaning ‘once in a lifetime’) will offer you an unforgettable experience of Japanese haute-cuisine by its Chef Takashi Miyazaki. His kaiseki multi-course tasting menu with elaborately prepared dishes that represent the seasons, will bring you on an amazing taste journey through Japanese cuisine.

Photo: ichigoichie.ie

Special deal for overnight stay at Clayton Cork City hotel available:

  • €140 per single room
  • €150 per twin/double room
  • Included: Full Irish breakfast, free WiFi and use of leisure club facilities in ClubVitae.
  • The rates provided will expire on the 8th of October 2019. Bookings have to be made directly with the hotel by phone: 353 21 4224949 or email: res.corkcity@claytonhotels.com. Special rates will not be available after this date, so we advise early booking.

RSVP by Monday, 30th September by email: info@ija.ie or call: 01-6787008. Places are limited and we advise early booking.

*Dinner cancellations accepted by 25th October strictly. After this date no refund will be available.

*Ticket does not include return travel to Cork. All travel arrangements must be organized by yourself separately.