Tag Archive for: Junji Shimada

Announcement of the passing of former Ambassador, Junji Shimada

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It is with deep sadness that the Ireland Japan Association Council shares the announcement from the Embassy of Japan in Ireland regarding the passing of former Ambassador Mr. Junji Shimada.

Ambassador Shimada was a dedicated diplomat and an exemplary representative of Japan. He will be greatly missed by his family, the staff who had the privilege of working alongside him, and the many people in Ireland whom he met during his service.

On behalf of the IJA Council, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Ambassador Shimada’s family, his colleagues, and all who mourn his loss. His contribution to strengthening the relationship between Ireland and Japan will be long remembered.

“Ambassador Shimada will be remembered with great respect and admiration for his dedication to strengthening the relationship between Japan and Ireland. His commitment, warmth, and gracious engagement with our Association and the wider community left a lasting and meaningful impact. We are profoundly grateful for his contributions and for the friendship he extended during his time in Ireland.” – Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson

The IJA Council joins the Embassy of Japan and the wider community in honouring Ambassador Shimada’s legacy and mourning his loss. Our thoughts are with all who held him dear.

Book of Condolence

A book of condolence for former Ambassador Shimada will be available at the Embassy of Japan at the following times:

Dates:
Wednesday, 19 November | 10 am – 12 pm and 2 pm – 4 pm
Thursday, 20 November | 10 am – 12 pm and 2 pm – 4 pm

Location:
Embassy of Japan
3rd Floor, Merrion Centre
Nutley Lane, Dublin 4

Messages of Condolence by Email

The Embassy also welcomes condolences sent via email until 20 November.

Email: protocol@ir.mofa.go.jp

Please include:
1. Subject line: “Condolences: Former Ambassador Shimada”
2. Name
3. Title and organisation (if applicable)
4. Message

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A Celebration of Ireland-Japan Friendship: Highlights from the IJA Annual Dinner 2025

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The Ireland Japan Association would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for the IJA Annual Dinner 2025, held on Friday, 16th May at the luxurious Conrad Hotel in Dublin.

This special evening was a celebration of friendship, culture, and the strong connections between Ireland and Japan. It was a pleasure to welcome our members, friends, supporters, and special guests for a night of networking, cultural appreciation, and shared experiences.

 

 

Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson

 

Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson:

“It’s incredible how we (IJA) have evolved from being a cultural society with an admirable mission into a thriving community built upon three foundational pillars: Business, Education and Culture. It’s these three intersecting pillars that make the IJA a unique, vibrant association.

In recent years, we have accelerated our growth not just in numbers but also in impact.

Our individual members, many of whom are here this evening, remain at the heart of this association. Your enthusiasm brings inspiration and energy to everything we do. Whether it is our ever-popular weekly conversation groups, the Book Club, or our amazing and varied workshops, it is your presence that gives these events meaning and success.

Equally, shining a light on our corporate members – you are the engine that allows us to do more and reach further. You play an increasingly vital role in our development. Your support, especially in recent years, has allowed us to scale our ambitions – to deliver high-quality business forums like our Fireside Chat Series, to continue our Ushioda Scholarship Programme, and to invest in wonderful events such as The Japan Experience at Farmleigh. You are not just members of this association; you are partners in advancing the Ireland–Japan relationship.”

 

We were honoured by the presence of our Patron, H.E. Mr. Junji Shimada, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, who joined us as Guest of Honour along with his wife, Mrs. Kaoru Shimada. We were also privileged to welcome Mr. Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation, and Mr. Hideo Yura, Director General at JETRO London, along with representatives from the Irish and Japanese business, diplomatic, academic, and cultural communities.

IJA Council and corporate members together with Annual Dinner Special Guests: IJA Patron, H.E. Mr. Junji Shimada, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, and his wife, Mrs. Kaoru Shimada, Mr. Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation, and Mr. Hideo Yura, Director General at JETRO London.

 

Ambassador Shimada and Minister Chambers delivered speeches congratulating the IJA on another successful year, and emphasised the association’s vital role in strengthening the Ireland-Japan relationship. On behalf of the Irish Government, Minister Chambers also thanked Catherine Grennell-Whyte for her leadership, dedication, and achievements.

 

IJA Patron, H.E. Mr. Junji Shimada, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland

 

Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation

 

The evening featured a sake and prosecco reception, a delicious three-course dinner, engaging speeches, and a vibrant celebration of Japanese culture and tradition. Guests enjoyed a carefully curated menu with accompanying wine and had the chance to win incredible prizes during the raffle draw – including the grand prize: return flight tickets and a one-week travel package for two to Osaka, Japan, generously sponsored by our 2025 Travel Partners – Finnair and Oomi Travel.

 

The lucky winner of the Grand Prize together with Darina Slattery, Oomi Travel and Catherine Grennell-Whyte, Finnair. The prize included return flight tickets and a one-week travel package for two to Osaka, Japan, generously sponsored by IJA 2025 Travel Partners – Finnair and Oomi Travel.

 

We would like to express our sincere thanks to all our raffle prize sponsors for their generosity and support:
Azumi Uchitani, Dillon Eustace, Eddie Hughes, Fitzwilliam Capital, SuMi TRUST, Yamamori, Neil Cowhey and Laura Goonan.

Special thanks also go to the Dublin School for Japanese Children who prepared beautiful origami decorations for our dinner guests – a thoughtful gesture that added charm to each table and honoured Japan’s rich cultural heritage.

 

 

We are truly grateful to the team at Conrad Dublin for their excellent service, warm hospitality, and meticulous attention to detail, all of which ensured the evening ran smoothly.

We deeply appreciate the ongoing support of our members and community, and we look forward to many more opportunities to connect, collaborate, and strengthen the ties between Ireland and Japan in the future.

Arigatou gozaimasu – thank you once again for being part of this special celebration!

IJA Annual Dinner 2025 – Video Highlights

Photos: Shane Cullen, K9 Studio

 

Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson (Finnair/ATTS) and Neil Cowhey, IJA Vice Chairperson (Dillon Eustace)

 

IJA Annual Dinner 2025 | Conrad Dublin

 

Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson, Mrs. Kaoru Shimada and H.E. Mr. Junji Shimda, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, Raymond Hegarty, IJA Council

 

Raymond Hegarty, IJA Council and Master of Ceremonies

 

Teresa Weafer, Google Ireland, William Smyth, Fitzwilliam Capital, Graham Ryan, Yamamori Group, H.E. Mr. Junji Shimada, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland and Mrs. Kaoru Shimada

 

H.E. Mr. Junji Shimada, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation, and Mrs. Kaoru Shimada

 

Saara Heinola, Embassy of Finland in Ireland, Keiko Nakata, Embassy of Japan in Ireland, Mrs. Kaoru Shimada and Darina Slattery, Oomi Travel

 

Peter Vambeck, Fitzwilliam Capital, Saara Heinola, Embassy of Finland in Ireland, Graham Ryan, Yamamori Group, William Smyth, Fitzwilliam Capital, Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation, Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson, H.E. Mr. Junji Shimada, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland and Mrs. Kaoru Shimada.

 

Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson

 

Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson and Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation

 

H.E. Mr. Junji Shimada, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson and Mrs. Kaoru Shimada

 

Oomi Travel team with Darina Slattery, founder of Oomi Travel and Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson (Finnair) – with the IJA Annual Dinner 2025 Grand Prize ticket

 

IJA Annual Dinner 2025 | Conrad Dublin

 

IJA Annual Dinner 2025 | Conrad Dublin

 

IJA Annual Dinner 2025 | Conrad Dublin

 

IJA Annual Dinner 2025 | Conrad Dublin

 

We gratefully acknowledge the sponsors of the raffle prizes for the IJA Annual Dinner 2025!

Japanese Film Festival Returns To Screens Across Ireland This April

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The Japanese Film Festival Ireland returns for its 16th edition this April, bringing a selection of new and classic Japanese films to screens across Ireland.

Ireland’s only truly national film festival will showcase 16 films this year, from festival favourites to the latest anime features. The festival will run from April 1 – 26, with screenings in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Sligo, Waterford, Dundalk, Wexford, Bray and – for the first time – Ballina.

“It brings me great joy to see Ireland’s keen interest in Japanese cinema. The 2025 Japanese Film Festival boasts an impressive 16 films at 9 locations across Ireland. From the classic horror ‘The Snow Woman,’ which comes from the writings of Ireland’s very own Lafcadio Hearn, to the time travel comedy ‘A Samurai in Time,’ this year’s festival surely has something for everyone in Ireland.” – H.E. Mr. Junji Shimada, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland

This year’s selection includes the delightful fish-out-of-water time travel comedy A Samurai in Time, which last month took home Best Film at the Japan Academy Film Awards. The darkly comic character study Teki Cometh, meanwhile, won three of the top prizes at last year’s Tokyo International Film Festival, including Best Film.

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A Samurai In Time

Other acclaimed films and international festival favourites screening during the festival include Cloud, the new thriller from Kiyoshi Kurosawa; the profound All the Long Nights from director Sho Miyake (Small, Slow but Steady); and Living in Two Worlds, a sensitive and heartfelt portrait of a young man’s experiences growing up with Deaf parents.

Cloud

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Cottontail, meanwhile, brings together actor Lily Franky (Shoplifters) and Ireland’s own Ciarán Hinds for a moving drama about one Japanese widower’s trip to England to fulfil his late wife’s final wish. Those looking for a unique insight into Japanese society & culture should check out the documentary The Making of a Japanese, which follows a group of Tokyo elementary school students over the course of a year, and the charming comedy-drama Takano Tofu.

Cottontail

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Anime fans won’t want to miss this year’s selection of new anime films: Ghost Cat Anzu, Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window, City Hunter: Angel Dust and Kaiju No. 8: Mission Recon. We’re also excited to present two classic anime titles: Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved debut feature Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro, and the vibrant and playful Tekkonkinkreet.

Ghost Cat Anzu

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In Dublin, we’re also excited to present 1968’s The Snow Woman, based on a famous ghost story recounted by Dublin-raised Lafcadio Hearn in his classic Kwaidan collection. This screening will tie in with the 175th anniversary of Hearn’s birth, along with the ongoing exhibition celebrating his work which has been taking place nationally (currently in Dublin’s Farmleigh Gallery). The screening will be preceded by a short introduction introducing the audience to Hearn’s life and work.

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“This year marks the 16th year of the festival and our collaboration with the Embassy of Japan. JFF 25 will bring the latest Japanese films to audiences across Ireland, alongside a selection of classic titles. Whether you’re a JFF regular or have never been before, we look forward to welcoming you to this year’s screenings. As ever, the festival has an exciting range of titles to choose from. Whether you’re looking for the latest anime, festival favourites or an insight into Japanese culture & society, this year’s programme has something for everyone.” – Maeve Cooke, director of access>CINEMA

JFF 2025 Screening Schedule

Wexford | Wexford Arts Centre: April 1 and 8

Galway | Eye Cinema: April 9-12

Dublin | Light House Cinema: April 10-17

Cork | The GATE Screen @ Arc Cinema: April 11-17 and  Triskel Christchurch: April 21-23

Sligo | Sligo Film Society @ The Model Arts Centre: April 10

Wicklow | Mermaid Arts Centre Bray: April 14

Mayo | Ballina Arts Centre: April 15

Louth | An Táin Arts Centre, Dundalk: April 18

Waterford | Garter Lane Arts Centre: April 22, 25 and 26

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All The Long Nights

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Ticketing links and full listings are now available at www.jff.ie.

Ticket sales information for screenings are available from each participating venue.

The Embassy of Japan and access>CINEMA are the co-organisers of the Festival with the support by The Arts Council of Ireland.

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