Ireland Japan Association – Ireland Japan Association

IJA AGM 2023

16th January 2023/in Business/by ija

The 33rd Annual General Meeting for the Ireland Japan Association will take place on Thursday, 23rd March 2023 at 2.30 p.m.

Date: Thursday, 23rd March 2023
Time: 2.30 p.m.

More details coming soon!

Japanese Language and Culture Course | For Beginners

16th January 2023/in Cultural/by ija

Improve your Japanese language skills and learn useful and interesting culture, travel and business tips at the IJA 4-week Japanese language and culture course for beginners!

Starting date: Monday, 20th February 2023
* 1st class – Monday, 20th February
* 2nd class – Monday , 27th February
* 3rd class – Monday, 6th March
* 4th class – Monday, 13th March

Time: 6.30 PM – 8 PM (each class – 90min)
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.
Advised age group: 18+

Bookings:
To book your place, please RSVP by Monday, 13th February 2023 by email: info@ija.ie, or call: 01-6787008.
Please note that cancellations should be made by Wednesday, 15th February. After this date refunds will not be available.

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.

This course will focus on:
* Essential Japanese language skills
* Cultural insights
* Travel tips
* Business tips

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 with the teacher and fellow students.

This course is organized in cooperation with:

IJA welcomes its new 2023 Patron Member – ElectroRoute

16th January 2023/in News/by ija

Ireland Japan Association is delighted to welcome ElectroRoute, an international, renewables-focused, energy trading and services company, on board the IJA as our new 2023 Patron Member, and we are looking forward to a long lasting and successful cooperation.

The company, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation, has grown rapidly from its establishment in 2011 to now employing over 90 professionals based in Ireland, the UK, Europe, and Japan.

The company’s vision is to make net zero a reality by solving the commercial mechanics of a decarbonised energy system. ElectroRoute intelligently leverages the benefits of new technologies, our advanced methodologies, and the application of unrivalled expertise to develop innovative energy trading and renewable risk management solutions.

Its team of traders trade and optimise a range of renewable assets on a 24/7 basis using its unique, tech-driven, AI-powered platform, ElectroRoute CORE.

Careers at ElectroRoute: https://electroroute.com/careers/
Press Releases (English and Japanese): https://electroroute.com/electroroute-news/
Blog: https://electroroute.com/insights/

If you wish to learn more about ElectroRoute and services they provide, please visit their website: https://electroroute.com/ or visit ElectroRoute profile on LinkedIn and Twitter!

IJA Annual Dinner 2023

12th January 2023/in Cultural/by ija

**SAVE THE DATE**

The Ireland Japan Association is delighted to announce that the IJA Annual Dinner 2023, our largest and most enjoyable event of the year which we hope you, your friends and colleagues can attend, will take place on Friday, 12th May 2023 at the 5-star luxury Conrad Hotel in Dublin city centre.

We would be honoured to have you join us for the evening of celebrations and fine dining at one of the most beautiful and iconic Dublin venues.

Individual tickets and Corporate tables will be available. Save the date!

More details coming soon!

Ichigo Ichie Dinner Event 2022 | PHOTO GALLERY

23rd November 2022/in News/by ija

On 18th November the Ireland Japan Association invited its members and friends for an unforgettable and timeless experience of exquisite Japanese haute-cuisine at the Michelin star Japanese restaurant Ichigo Ichie, Cork.

Event started with the welcome words by Hiro Ino, IJA Council, who thanked everyone of attending this every special occasion. Event guests had a unique opportunity to enjoy kaiseki multi-course tasting menu with elaborately prepared and exquisite dishes bringing everybody on an amazing taste journey through Japanese cuisine. We would like to thank chef Takashi Miyazaki and his team for this exclusive experience.

The IJA would like to thank Hiro Ino, IJA Council, for organising this wonderful event, and our hosts at Ichigo Ichie for an unforgettable evening at their beautiful restaurant.

Photos: Hiro Ino and Eva Reavley

Ikebana Workshops in Dublin | PHOTO GALLERY

1st November 2022/in News/by ija

On 29th October we welcomed our good friend Tomoko Sempo Yanagi, Professor of Ikenobo Ikebana Society and Chairperson of Ikenobo UK and Ireland Group to Dublin for two in-person Ikebana Workshops at the Warrenmount Community Education Centre.

We would like to thank everyone who joined Ikebana workshops, and we are delighted that so many people had an amazing opportunity to learn about the history and traditions of the beautiful and delicate Ikebana flower arranging art together with Ikebana master Tomoko Sempo Yanagi.

Huge thanks to Tomoko san for sharing her passion for Ikebana with all the participants, and inspiring everyone to discover more about this unique and beautiful part of Japanese culture. During the workshop participants created their own Ikebana arrangements using seasonal flowers and plants.

We also would like to thank Warrenmount Community Education Centre and Pauline McGaley for hosting our event, welcoming everyone at the venue and looking after us on the day!

Photos: Raymond Hegarty and Eddie Hughes

Bounenkai 2022 | End of the Year Party

27th October 2022/in Cultural/by ija

Another year comes to an end and we would like to invite all our members, friends and supporters to join us for the IJA Bounenkai End of the Year Party on 7th December at Yamamori North City, Dublin.

Bounenkai is the way Japanese companies, families and friends celebrate the end of the year together, in a casual setting. We hope you can join us for a delicious Japanese 3-course dinner followed by live jazz music and cheerful celebrations!

Event is open to everyone!

Date: Wednesday, 7th December 2022
Time: 6.30 p.m.
Venue: Yamamori North City, 38/39 Ormond Quay Lwr., Dublin 1

Tickets:
€70 – IJA Members | €80 – Non-Members

Bookings: If you would like to join Bounenkai celebrations, please RSVP by Wednesday, 30th November by email: info@ija.ie or call: 01-6787008.
* Places are limited and early booking is recommended.
* Drinks are not included in the ticket price.
* Cancellations: Please note that cancellations will be accepted by COB on Friday, 2nd December. After this date refunds will not be available.

Event programme:
* Arrivals from 6.30 p.m.
* Welcome words and Kanpai by Tsugumi Yamamoto, IJA Vice-Chairperson
* 3-course Japanese dinner will be served at 7 p.m.
* Live jazz music by Andrea Jones Quartet & Jio from 9 p.m. & celebrations until late!

Please feel free to share this invitation with your families, friends and colleagues.

Corporate members and teams are welcome! A great opportunity for corporate members and teams to join celebrations in Dublin city centre venue with delicious meal & live music!

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About Andrea Jones Quartet (jazz) & Jio

The Andrea Jones Quartet is a collaborative group led by tenor saxophonist Andrea Jones that features the cream of the crop of emerging young talents in Irish jazz. Graduates of the DCU Centre for Jazz and Contemporary Music, Andrea is joined by Patrick Keegan on electric guitar, Aidan Gray on electric bass, and Michael McCarthy on drums. As composers, each member brings you into a different sound-world comprising group textures and improvisations, expansive narrative themes, and both short and long form compositions inspired by a wide range of jazz; from Monk to Mark Turner.

A vinyl set of slow-mo selections from Jio will follow. Found regularly behind the counter at All City. Co-brains behind the label/party Pear with Fio Fa, while also in (co)charge of labels Arís and P.U.P. A DJ when called upon in clubs, festivals and other fine establishments such as Rinse FM, NTS and DDR. A man of many styles, most of them summed up with the neat term ‘dance’ – while also a small dose of ‘yacht rock’ for good measure.

Japanese Fine Dining Event | Ichigo Ichie, Cork

27th October 2022/in Cultural/by ija

UPDATE: Please note that this event is fully booked now. [Updated on 07.11.2022]

The Ireland Japan Association is delighted to invite you to the unique Japanese fine dining event at the Michelin star Japanese restaurant Ichigo Ichie on Friday, 18th November in Cork.

Join us for an unforgettable and timeless experience of exquisite Japanese haute-cuisine by Chef Takashi Miyazaki!

Date: Friday, 18th November 2022
Time: 6 p.m. – 8.30 p.m.
Venue: Ichigo Ichie, 5 Fenns Quay, Sheares Street, Cork, T12 RY7Y

Tickets: €105 – IJA Members | €120 – Non Members
* Drinks are not included in the ticket price.
* Preference will be given to the IJA and JBS members for reservations.

Bookings: Please RSVP by Monday, 7th November by email: info@ija.ie or call: 01-6787008.
* Places are limited and early booking is advised.
* Cancellations are accepted by Thursday, 10th November strictly. After this date refunds will not be available.

Ichigo Ichie (meaning ‘once in a lifetime’) offers a rare kind of sanctuary dining and an unforgettable experience of Japanese haute-cuisine by its Chef Takashi Miyazaki. His kaiseki multi-course tasting menu with elaborately prepared dishes will bring you on an amazing taste journey through Japanese cuisine to enjoy a unique moment that flows and forever separates you from any other restaurant experience.

Please note that the ticket does not include travel to Cork and back. All travel arrangements as well as overnight accommodation, if you decide to stay in Cork after the event, must be organized by yourself.

Photo: https://ichigoichie.ie/

Openskies Aerial Technology Ltd. joins the IJA as a Corporate member

10th October 2022/in News/by ija

Ireland Japan Association (IJA) is delighted to welcome Openskies Aerial Technology Ltd. on board the IJA as a Corporate member and is looking forward to a long lasting and successful cooperation.

Openskies Aerial Technology Ltd. builds open source tools, services and specifications to support the existing and future aerial robotics ecosystem, and provides technical expertise, software development capability and project management services to the future aviation systems.

Openskies Aerial Technology Ltd. professionally supports and has founded leading products and opensource communities in the context of UTM and unmanned aviation: Flight Blender (https://flightblender.com) and Flight Spotlight (https://flightspotlight.com) provide open source standards compliant UTM implementations. Aerobridge (https://aerobridge.io) focuses on drone assembly, manufacturing and flight security with software and hardware for trusted flights. – Hrishikesh Ballal, Co-Founder and CEO

If you wish to learn more about Openskies Aerial Technology Ltd. and services they provide, please visit their website: https://about.openskies.sh/or visit their profile on LinkedIn.

Ikebana Workshop with Tomoko Sempo Yanagi

4th October 2022/in Cultural/by ija

IMPORTANT | Please note that the afternoon session at 1 p.m. is SOLD OUT now (you can be added to a waiting list), and a few tickets are available for morning session at 10.30 a.m. only. – updated on 14.10.2022

We are delighted to invite you to join Tomoko Sempo Yanagi, Professor of Ikenobo Ikebana Society and Chairperson of Ikenobo UK and Ireland Group, at her Dublin ‘Ikebana workshop’ to discover art, history and specific techniques of Ikebana, and have hands-on experience creating beautiful Ikebana flower arrangement to take home with you!

Date: Saturday, 29th October 2022
Time: 10.30 AM – 12 PM (A few places still available) | 1 PM – 2.30 PM (This session is SOLD OUT)
Venue: Warrenmount Education Centre, 15/17 Mill Street, Dublin 8, D08 V58X

Tickets:
* €25 for one workshop | €45 for two workshops (workshop, flowers, materials)
* €40 for one workshop | €60 for two workshops (workshop, flowers, materials + 1 Kenzan)
Vases can be purchased at the venue at the face value €10-20.

Bookings: To book your ticket, please RSVP by Friday, 21st October by email: info@ija.ie or call us: 01-6787008.

Cancellations: Cancellations have to be made by Tuesday, 25th October. After this date refunds will not be available.

Event plan:

* History, philosophy and traditions of Ikebana flower arranging art.
* Demonstration of Ikebana flower arranging by Tomoko Sempo Yanagi.
* for participants to create their own Ikebana arrangements with the guidance from Tomoko Sempo Yanagi and her assistants.
* Photo option of the finished arrangements.
* Participants will receive an informative leaflet about Ikebana.
* Optional: For continuous learning, participants will have the opportunity to enroll in Ikebana distance learning courses and attend in-person sessions (workshop and/or demonstration) which will be offered by Tomoko Sempo Yanagi in Dublin. More details will be available at the workshop.

Ikebana is an ancient and meditative Japanese art of flower arranging, initially known as Ikenobo, and cherished by emperors, high-ranked warriors and lords. It dates back to over 550 years ago and and is still practiced as a highly respected cultural art form all over the world maintaining traditional methods and incorporating several new styles that developed over the history.

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‘Flowers are not only beautiful, but they could reflect the passing of time, and how we respond to an ever-changing future. There is beauty not only in an open flower, but also a flower’s bud which holds the energy of life as it opens towards the future. Together with flowers, humans are vital parts of nature and arranging Ikebana expresses this awareness.’ – Tomoko Sempo Yanagi

About Tomoko Sempo Yanagi
Tomoko Sempo Yanagi 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.

IJA Japanese Conversation Group

5th October 2020/in Cultural/by ija

Join our weekly FREE Japanese conversation group meetings and improve your Japanese conversational skills in an informal, friendly atmosphere!

Meetings take place every Wednesday from 9-10 p.m. via Zoom.

To join the group, please sign up by sending email to: info@ija.ie.

Basic Japanese language skills are required. Each week participants will discuss a topic named in advance, and, from time to time, native Japanese speakers will be joining the group to help with the advice.

Please note that this conversation group is a fun activity for people who enjoy speaking Japanese, and not a language course/class.

This group is open to the IJA members only.

Please contact us for more information: info@ija.ie

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Please take a look at the meeting schedule for the coming weeks:
* There will be no online meetings on 7th December and 14th December
* Saturday, 17th December at 12 PM – Online Bounenkai Celebrations
* Wednesday, 11th January 2023 at 9 PM – Our first Online Zoom Meeting after Christmas break