Posts

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.

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

Events

IJA Survival Japanese Language Course

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Are you planning a trip to Japan this summer? Would you like to improve your Japanese language skills? Then why not sign up for our Survival Japanese Language Course which will provide you with essential language knowledge and useful tips that will allow you to enjoy your visit to Japan even more!

Date: starting on Thursday, 26th March 2020
* 1st class – 26th March
* 2nd class – 2nd April
* 3rd class – 9th April
* 4th class – 16th April
Time: 6.30pm – 8pm (1.5h)
Venue:  Dillon Eustace, 33 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2

Cost:
€80 – IJA Members
€120 – Non-members
Spaces are limited and early booking is advised.

The Survival Japanese Language Course will focus on practical conversations and will cover these situations:
* How to introduce yourself to a Japanese person
* How to order at a restaurant and at a bar
* How to ask for directions
* How to express your interests, preferences, gratitude, etc.

Participants with very little or no previous knowledge of Japanese are welcome.

All materials and handouts will be provided and are included in the price. Class size is kept relatively small and participants will have the opportunity to interact a lot with the teacher and fellow students.

To book your place, please RSVP by Monday, 16th March 2020 by email: info@ija.ie, or call: 01-6787008.
Please note that cancellations should be made at least 48 hours in advance.

This course is organized in cooperation with:

AGM 2020

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The 30th Annual General Meeting for the Ireland Japan Association will take place on Thursday, 19th March 2020 at 4.30pm at the AIB Corporate Headquarters, 10 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2.

Please find the AGM Agenda 2020 here.

More details coming soon!
Note: You need to be a fully paid-up member to vote and attend the AGM.
If you wish to attend AGM on 19th March, please RSVP by Friday 13th March by email: info@ija.ie or call 01-6787008.

IJA Annual Dinner 2020

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**TICKETS ON SALE NOW**

On behalf of the IJA Council, it is our pleasure to invite you to the 2020 IJA ANNUAL DINNER at one of the most beautiful and iconic venues – The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin on Friday, 14th February 2020.

This evening is our largest and most enjoyable event of the year which we hope you, your friends and colleagues can attend. The IJA Annual Dinner is open to all IJA Members (as well as Non-Members who are interested in meeting our members and/or becoming a member – Contact IJA to become a member).

Date: Friday, 14th February 2020
Time: From 7.30 p.m.
Venue: The Shelbourne Hotel, 27 St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2
Guest of Honour: H.E. Mr. Mitsuru Kitano, Ambassador of Japan in Ireland
Grand Prize: 2 Return Flights to Japan sponsored by Finnair
Evening Programme will be announced shortly!

Dress Code: Suits/Dress/Business (not black-tie)

Seating Arrangements:
Round Tables seating 8-10 people. Corporate Tables catered for.
* If you would like to be seated at a particular table and/or have any dietary requirements, email special requests to us before Monday, 3rd February 2020.
Corporate Sponsorship:
If you are a Corporate member, you have sponsorship opportunities available. To sponsor a prize, please send details of prize to info@ija.ie by Friday, 17th January 2020. Your company logo will be displayed on the night on large screens and inside guest programmes.
Tickets:
* IJA Members: €100 (per person)
* Non-Members: €130 (per person)
* Corporate Members (Table of 10): €1,200
Cancellations made after 3rd February 2020 are non-refundable.

HOW TO BOOK:

Book Direct: info@ija.ie | Tel: 01-6787008 (Persons in Charge: Darina or Carmel)
Online Tickets: Please see Ticket Booking Form below!
RSVP/Booking Deadline: Monday, 3rd February 2020
B&B Special Offer at The Shelbourne Hotel: 
Special rate:  €259.00 (single occupancy) | €274.00 (double occupancy)
Rates include all taxes and Full Irish Buffet Breakfast.
Book by Friday, 17th January to avail of this special offer directly with hotel. To receive the booking link, please contact us: info@ija.ie
Official IJA Annual Dinner 2020 invitation can be downloaded here!

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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

Please see official event leaflet HERE!

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

Please see official event leaflet HERE!

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!

**SPECIAL OFFER – Book Performance and Mask Making Workshop for €30**

Use Promo Code: nohoffer2020 when booking your tickets!

For more information, please contact Watergate Theatre directly: 056 7761674

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

Please see official event leaflet HERE!

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!

**SPECIAL OFFER – Book Performance and Mask Making Workshop for €30**

Use Promo Code: nohoffer2020 when booking your tickets!

For more information, please contact Watergate Theatre directly: 056 7761674

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

Please see official event leaflet HERE!

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

*NEW* Free Japanese lunchtime conversation group meetings

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UPDATE **Japanese lunchtime conversation group meeting dates for 2020 have been announced.**

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 2020 meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 30th January.

Upcoming group meeting dates for your diary:

  • Thursday, 30th January
  • Thursday, 6th February
  • Thursday, 13th February
  • Thursday, 20th February
  • Thursday, 27th February
  • Thursday, 5th March
  • Thursday, 12th March
  • Thursday, 19th March
  • Thursday, 26th March
  • Thursday, 2nd April
  • Thursday, 9th April

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.