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Winners Announced | JAPANORAMIC Photo Competition

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Thank you for all your wonderful entries for the IJA Photo Competition ‘JAPANORAMIC’. The IJA received 83 beautiful photographs from 42 contestants giving an insight into their best moments during travels in Japan.

We are living in times when overseas travels have been cancelled or limited due to a worldwide pandemic, and we were hoping that this competition will allow people to revisit the places they have been to in the past and share the beauty of their trips also with others.

‘We were delighted to receive a large number of entries (83 in total!) to our JAPANORAMIC photo competition. All entries were of a very high standard, so the judging was indeed a difficult task. Please join us in congratulating the winners and honourable mentions. We thank all entrants again for their participation and enthusiasm!’ – The IJA Judging Panel of the JAPANORAMIC Photo Competition

Our judges were delighted with the number and the quality of photographs, and it has been very difficult to select the top three winning images but without further ado, we are delighted to announce the three winners of our 2020 Photo Competition!

1st place – congratulations go to Alex Sinclair and the winning image:

Osaka (January 2020). Image was shot on black-and-white 35mm film. (C) Copyright Alex Sinclair

2nd place – congratulations go to Peter Sheerin and image:

Dusk in Matsu (May 2016). I always like to go out for a wander when I visit somewhere new, you never know what you’ll stumble across. Even though this was just a small piece of municipal decoration along a main road, there was something striking about it in the dusk with the moon rising behind. (C) Copyright Peter Sheerin

3rd place – congratulations go to Kenneth Waters and image:

Tokyo Nexus (November 2019). Looking out from the observation deck in Tokyo Tower watching unhindered the city flowing through the arterial nexus of its amazing transportation network. (C) Copyright Kenneth Waters

All 3 winners have been contacted by the IJA about the competition results and prizes.

We would like to use this opportunity and thank everybody who entered our competition this year! We really enjoyed all your holiday photos!

The IJA Judging Panel would also like to share the Honourable Mentions:

Yosakoi Wave, by Kate McConville

Yosakoi Wave – 26th August 2017 – Taken during the Yosakoi Dance performance, the flag bearer harnesses a stoic strength and power to elevate his team-mates’ performances. As integral to the team as any dancer, he waves his flag with all his might. (C) Copyright Kate McConville

Surfers of Sendai Shinko, by Daniel Kelly

Surfers of Sendai Shinko – 2018/12/24 – Shinko (Sendai, Miyagi) is a popular spot for surfers, offering some of the best waves in Tohoku. However, following the 2011 tsunami, the area was destroyed. Through the determination of the local surfers, restoration is underway. This photo shows the die-hard surfers who continue to surf during the reconstruction. (C) Copyright Daniel Kelly

Portrait of a Gaijin, by Saša Krnetic

Portrait of a Gaijin Turn the head away from panorama of Kyoto and you’ll find yourself in garden of delight… Who doesn’t love fluorescent trees right beneath the clouds? She surely does! (C) Copyright Saša Krnetic

Senso-ji temple through a lens ball in Tokyo, by Stephanie FitzGerald-Smith

Senso-ji temple through a Lens Ball in Tokyo – January 2019 (C) Copyright Stephanie FitzGerald-Smith

Kyoto, the kids & the colour, by Andrew Keegan

Kyoto, the kids & the colour – again outside of the Kyoto station the school kids were waiting for the bus home? I liked the “bland” of the uniforms & concrete building ,against the bright colour of the mural. (C) Copyright Andrew Keegan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EU-Japan News | June 2020 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 2020 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 2020 Newsletter here!

In Memoriam: Dr Tom Hardiman (1929-2020)

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The Ireland Japan Association is sad to hear of the passing of Dr Tom Hardiman.

Dr. Hardiman was an honorary member of the IJA and contributed regularly at IJA Council meetings as a knowledgeable and passionate advocate of EU-Japan relations. He was kind and insightful on matters of business, culture and education. He spoke with beautiful, measured language and always had a twinkle in his eye.

He left a deep impression on everybody he met. We were blessed in the Ireland Japan Association to share the time with such a great man.

Our thoughts are with his wife, Rosaleen, his family and many friends at this time.

Raymond Hegarty, IJA Chairperson

On behalf of the Council of the Ireland Japan Association

Photo: www.ria.ie

IJA Annual General Meeting 2020 | Review

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The 30th Annual General Meeting for the Ireland Japan Association took place on Thursday, 19th March 2020. It was hosted via conference call due to the Covid-19 developments in the country and advice from the authorities to avoid large meetings indoors.

Darina Slattery, IJA Chairperson, thanked the outgoing Council members for their work, participation and team effort throughout the past year, Embassy of Japan for continued support to the IJA, AIB – the Patron member of the IJA, and all IJA Corporate and Individual members.

In her report, Darina Slattery noted that 2019 was a very busy year for the IJA, especially with the Rugby World Cup taking place in Japan which created a lot of interest about Japan here in Ireland. 16 business and culture events were organized throughout the past year (14 events in 2019 and 2 events in 2020), including Japanese language courses, free Japanese conversation group meetings in cooperation with TCD, business briefings in cooperation with the IJA Corporate members, RWC Travel and Culture Day, Sushi & Sake experience, exclusive fine dining event at Michelin star restaurant Ichigo Ichie, IJA Annual Dinner, Annual Golf Outing, Japanese Noh ‘Between the Stones’ tour in Ireland and Bounenkai celebration at the end of the year.

The IJA supported four organizations with donations in 2019: Dublin School for Japanese Children (DSJC), Japanese School of Ireland, Experience Japan festival in Dublin and 17th Japanese Speech Contest.  

Ushioda Scholarship was established 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 Sophia Herar, DCU.

Darina Slattery informed that IJA member’s network has 37 corporate members and 45 individual members. Four new corporate members have recently joined the IJA – CLP Resources plc, MUFG Investor Services, Retro Vino and Clover Aircraft Leasing. Darina Slattery thanked AIB for continuous support and decision to remain as a Patron member for 2020.

Summary of the IJA Financial Statements for 2019 was shared with the AGM participants, membership subscription fees were approved for 2020/2021 and the new IJA Council members were announced.

Darina Slattery thanked Neil Maher (Mitsubishi Electric) and Paula Kelly (Individual member) 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 also informed that after four years in the position of the IJA Chairperson, she is stepping down and thanked everyone at the IJA Council for a truly amazing work promoting Japanese culture and strengthening ties between both countries.

Four new Council members were welcomed to the IJA Council this year – Colin Murray (Retro Vino / Retro Sake), Eddie Hughes (Individual member), Hiroaki Ozaki (Individual member) and Zachary Schroeder (Individual member), and very warm welcome to the newly elected IJA Chairperson – Raymond Hegarty.

The newly elected IJA Council for 2020:

Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Ex-Officio

  1. Raymond Hegarty (Chairperson)
  2. Yasuyuki Ozeki, JETRO (Vice-Chairperson)
  3. Darina Slattery, Unique Japan Tours (Ex-Officio)

Corporate Members:

  1. Colin Murray, Retro Vino
  2. Eoghan Howe, BOI Corporate Banking
  3. Donagh Morris, MUFG Investor Services
  4. Graham Ryan, Yamamori
  5. Niall Moriarty, AIB Corporate Banking
  6. Shane Geraghty, Dillon Eustace
  7. Tsugumi Yamamoto, Grant Thornton Ireland

Individual Members:

  1. Eddie Hughes, Individual Member
  2. Hiro Ino, Individual Member
  3. Hiroaki Ozaki, Individual Member
  4. Verity Swan, Individual Member
  5. Zachary Schroeder, Individual Member

Not on Council but invited to attend meetings:

  1. Sou Watanabe (Honorary)
  2. Tom Hardiman (Honorary)

Darina Slattery informed that the IJA is carefully monitoring the situation regarding Covid-19 and, unfortunately, all IJA upcoming events in March have been cancelled. The IJA will be following public health advice guidelines from the authorities regarding events in the next months. Please follow announcements on the IJA website and social media.

Coronavirus COVID-19 | IJA Announcement

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The IJA is carefully monitoring the situation regarding Coronavirus COVID-19 and would like to inform that at the moment all IJA upcoming events in March are cancelled or will take place virtually/online/via conference call. [updated on 16.03.2020]

It is essential that any decisions regarding responses to COVID-19 are proportionate, necessary and based on specific public health advice. We will be following public health advice guidelines, will consult our event hosts/venues, and will make the decision about each upcoming event separately. Please follow announcements on our website and social media.

We would like to ask that the public continue to follow hse.ie and gov.ie for accurate information regarding COVID-19, its symptoms and the steps the public can take to protect themselves.

IJA Council

 

EU-Japan News | March 2020 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 2020 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 March 2020 Newsletter here!

Clover Aircraft Leasing joins IJA as a Corporate member

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Ireland Japan Association (IJA) is delighted to welcome Clover Aircraft Leasing Company Limited, a 100%-owned subsidiary of Clover Aviation Capital Company Limited, an aircraft leasing and financing company, on board the IJA as a Corporate member and is looking forward to a long lasting and successful cooperation.

 

 

With its headquarters in Hong Kong, Clover Aviation Capital Company Limited is an aircraft leasing and financing company offering world-class aircraft leasing and asset management services to airlines and financial institutions worldwide.

Following the successful shareholding restructuring in November 2019, and with long term committed investment and support from our investors – Mizuho Bank, Mizuho Leasing and Ping An International Financial Leasing – we will continue to focus on the expansion of our strong portfolio of owned and managed aircraft assets.

Our extensive knowledge of the aviation industry, solid relationships with airline customers, aircraft manufacturers, aircraft investors, international banks and other key aviation industry participants, together with long-term experience and talents of our senior management team and key employees, give us full confidence to consistently deliver strong operational and financial results to our clients.

If you wish to learn more about Clover Aircraft Leasing Company Limited and services they provide, please visit their LinkedIn profile!

Merry Christmas from all of us at the IJA!

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Dear IJA Members and Friends,

Another amazing and busy year has come to an end. Christmas has come, and the year of the mouse in 2020 is soon approaching.

The IJA Council would like to thank you all for joining our events and outings this year and for your continued support to the Ireland Japan Association. We would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a healthy start of the New Year!

A special welcome to H.E. Mr. Mitsuru Kitano, who arrived recently as Ambassador of Japan in Ireland. We wish him every success in this new position. Ambassador Kitano will continue on as the IJA’s Patron Member. We very much look forward to working together in 2020 and beyond.

We are delighted that Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda scholarship was established this year in honour of Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda’s major contribution to the development of the IJA and Ireland-Japan relations, and to underpin the association’s strong commitment to supporting Japanese studies in Ireland. It was our pleasure to award it to Sophia Herar who is our first scholarship recipient.

Rugby took over the nation here in Ireland and definitely in Japan – the host of this year’s Rugby World Cup. Many of us were a part of this amazing event, experienced Japanese hospitality and discovered this beautiful country and culture in person. For many this was the first time visiting Japan. We are sure that this experience will encourage people to return and explore the Land of the Rising Sun even more, especially with such a huge and exciting event as Tokyo 2020 Olympic & Paralympic Games due to start in July 2020.

Finally, we are also delighted to announce that our biggest event of the year – The IJA Annual Dinner 2020 will be taking place on February 14th at The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin. We hope you will join us for an evening of celebrations and fine dining at one of the most beautiful and iconic Dublin venues.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and happy holidays!

Warm wishes,

On the behalf of the IJA Council,

Darina Slattery

IJA Chairperson

‘Once in a lifetime’ experience at Ichigo Ichie, Cork

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Ichigo Ichie – one of the best Japanese restaurants in Ireland and recipient of prestigious Michelin Star award, was our absolute favorite when we decided to organise an exclusive dining experience and a special night out for our members and friends.

On 8th November we set off to Cork to experience a unique ‘once in a lifetime’ Japanese haute-cuisine by Chef Takashi Miyazaki. His kaiseki multi-course tasting menu with elaborately prepared dishes that represent the seasons, promised to bring everybody on an amazing taste journey through Japanese cuisine, and this promise was well exceeded on the night.

Every dish was a flavour-filled edible art on the plate, and we all were able to admire the effort that was put into every single detail to introduce us to new unusual food textures and combinations of ingredients.

We all had an amazing evening and we truly enjoyed the hospitality of Chef Miyazaki and his team. Here is a little insight to our evening through photos.

We would like to thank Mr. Hiro Ino, IJA Council, for organising this wonderful event.

Photos: Donagh Morris & Hiro Ino

FREE Japanese lunchtime conversation group meetings

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We are delighted to have partnered with Trinity Centre for Asian Studies and bring you FREE Japanese lunchtime conversation group meetings to give you a chance to improve your Japanese conversational skills in casual environment.

These weekly meetings will take place every Thursday from 1-2 p.m. at the TCAS Seminar Room 2011 (Arts Building Annex) in TCD. First meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 14th November.

This weekly group will allow Japanese learners of all levels to develop their conversation skills in a casual, lunchtime environment. Feel free to bring your lunch and find some new conversation partners at the same time!

No previous registration is needed and everybody is welcome.

We would like to thank Verity Swan, IJA Council, and everybody at Trinity Centre for Asian Studies for their support in organizing this group.

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