Tag Archive for: Rikkyo University

2026 Ushioda Scholarship Award Winner: Isabelle Bates, DCU

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The Ireland Japan Association is delighted to announce that in 2026 the Ushioda Scholarship is awarded to Isabelle Emily Bates, studying Applied Languages and Translation Studies at DCU. Isabelle will be travelling to Japan for an exchange year at Rikkyo University, Tokyo.

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Isabelle is originally from Wexford and has spent the last three years studying Japanese and German in DCU.

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I first fell in love with languages while studying for my Junior Cert, and this is around the time when I began to learn Japanese. I chose to self-study Japanese due to my love of Japanese games and anime at the time, and I was lucky enough to have a very inspirational teacher and be able to study it for my Leaving Certificate.

Since the beginning of my Japanese studies, it has always been my dream to visit Japan and experience all of the wonderful things that the country, culture and people have to offer. If you had told me at 15 that I would now have the opportunity to study for a year in Japan, I would have never believed you, it felt so far away!

It feels incredibly surreal and exciting that I now have this fantastic opportunity and can make my dream come true. I hope that I can make the most of my year, work hard and make lots of lasting connections during my year abroad. – Isabelle Bates

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We would like to thank Paula Kelly, IJA Council Member and the IJA Education, Language and Ushioda Scholarship Subcommittee for support and assistance with the scholarship management and administration process this year.

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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.

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Dr. and Mrs. Ushioda Scholarship 2024 Award Ceremony | PHOTO GALLERY

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The Ushioda Scholarship Award Ceremony was held on Friday, June 28th and was hosted by the IJA Corporate Member Oomi Travel in Dublin. 2024 award winner Eloise Maguire was warmly welcomed and congratulated by Catherine Grennell-Whyte, the Chairperson of IJA, Ms. Paula Kelly, the Ushioda Scholarship coordinator, and members of the Ushioda family, Dr. Ema Ushioda and Kazi Ushioda.

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We were honored to have H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan, in attendance at the award ceremony. The Ambassador shared his well wishes and words of encouragement with Eloise as she prepares for her upcoming studies in Japan.

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From L-R: Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson, Kazi Ushioda, Dr. Ema Ushioda, Eloise Maguire, DCU and H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland

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.Eloise Maguire, who is studying Applied Languages and Translation Studies at DCU, has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious Ushioda Scholarship in 2024. Eloise will travel to Japan where she will be studying at Rikkyo University in Tokyo.

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‘It is a massive honour to receive this scholarship and I plan to make the most of it during my study abroad! While immersing myself in the Japanese language and improving my language skills, I hope to experience the culture and way of life in Japan.’ – Eloise Maguire

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Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson and Eloise Maguire, DCU

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We express our gratitude to Laura O’Grady from Oomi Travel for her hospitality, as well as to Graham Ryan and Miyu Iskikawa from Yamamori for the delightful Japanese refreshments. A special thank you to everyone who joined us at the event to celebrate Eloise’s remarkable achievement.

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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.

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Speech by Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson

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Speech by H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland

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Speech by Paula Kelly, Ushioda Scholarship Coordinator

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Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson, H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland and Eloise Maguire, DCU

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2024 Ushioda Scholarship Award Winner: Eloise Maguire, DCU

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The Ireland Japan Association is delighted to announce that in 2024 the Ushioda Scholarship is awarded to Eloise Maguire, studying Applied Languages and Translation Studies at DCU. Eloise will be travelling to Japan for an exchange year at Rikkyo University, Tokyo.

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‘It is a massive honour to receive this scholarship and I plan to make the most of it during my study abroad! While immersing myself in the Japanese language and improving my language skills, I hope to experience the culture and way of life in Japan.’ – Eloise Maguire

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We would like to thank Paula Kelly, IJA Individual Member and the IJA Education, Language and Ushioda Scholarship Subcommittee for support and assistance with the scholarship management and administration process this year.

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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.

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