Tag Archive for: Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs

Ireland Japan Association Receives Japan’s Foreign Minister’s Commendation

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On 31 July, members of the IJA Council were honoured to attend the official presentation ceremony for Japan’s Foreign Minister’s Commendation at the residence of the Ambassador of Japan to Ireland.
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The commendation, awarded to the IJA in 2025, was formally presented to IJA Chairperson Raymond Hegarty, followed by speeches from H.E. Mr Manabu Miyagawa, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, and Raymond Hegarty.
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Raymond Hegarty, IJA Chairperson and H.E. Mr. Manabu Miyagawa, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland

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It is a great honour for the IJA to receive this prestigious recognition, acknowledging the Association’s longstanding work in supporting economic cooperation and trade links between Ireland and Japan, alongside our cultural, educational and community programmes.
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The IJA Council is grateful for this recognition and looks forward to continuing our work to strengthen the connections between Ireland and Japan, particularly as we look ahead to the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2027.
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Our sincere thanks to the Embassy of Japan in Ireland for this honour and for its continued support and partnership throughout the years.
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From L-R: Keiko Nakata (Embassy of Japan), Koji Hirohata (Embassy of Japan), Graham Hodgkin (SMBC Bank EU AG/IJA Council), Rie Mishima (IJA Council), Catherine Grennell-Whyte (ATTS/Finnair/IJA Council), Raymond Hegarty (IJA Chairperson), H.E. Mr. Manabu Miyagawa (Ambassador of Japan to Ireland), Peter Vambeck (Fitzwilliam Capital/IJA Council), Eddie Hughes (IJA Council), Graham Ryan (Yamamori/IJA Council) and Mrs. Noriko Miyagawa.

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About the Foreign Minister’s Commendations
The Foreign Minister’s Commendations are presented annually to individuals and groups with exceptional achievements in international fields, recognising their role in promoting friendship between Japan and other countries. The award also raises awareness within Japan of the recipients’ contributions to international exchange. In 2025, the IJA joined a distinguished group of 58 organisations and 173 individuals worldwide receiving the award.
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Ireland Japan Association Honoured with Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation

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The Ireland Japan Association is proud to announce that it has been awarded the Commendation of the Foreign Minister of Japan, a prestigious recognition presented to organisations and individuals worldwide who have made outstanding contributions to strengthening ties with Japan.

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This honour acknowledges the IJA’s decades of work promoting economic, cultural, and educational connections between Ireland and Japan. In 2025, the IJA joins a distinguished group of 58 organisations and 173 individuals worldwide receiving the award.

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In its commendation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan noted:

“The IJA has helped not only to promote and develop economic and business relations between Japan and Ireland for many years, but also to promote Japanese language education and to foster human resource development in Japanese studies in Ireland. The IJA also runs regular workshops where participants can experience traditional Japanese culture. Through these and other activities, the IJA facilitates people-to-people exchanges while strengthening and promoting mutual understanding between Japan and Ireland.”

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Founded in 1990 from the merger of the Ireland Japan Society (est. 1969) and the Ireland Japan Economic Association (est. 1974), the IJA has been a cornerstone of Ireland-Japan relations for more than 35 years. Its mission has always been to act as a bridge between the two countries, creating opportunities for collaboration in business, culture, and education.

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Catherine Grennell-Whyte, Chairperson of the IJA, said:

“We are deeply honoured to receive this commendation from the Government of Japan. It is a powerful recognition of the work the IJA has carried out to support economic cooperation and trade links between Ireland and Japan, alongside our cultural and educational programmes. For more than three decades, our Association has been dedicated to fostering lasting connections, and this award is a testament to the strength of the friendship between our two nations.”

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About the Foreign Minister’s Commendations
The Foreign Minister’s Commendations are presented annually to individuals and groups with exceptional achievements in international fields, recognising their role in promoting friendship between Japan and other countries. The award also raises awareness within Japan of the recipients’ contributions to international exchange.
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