Ambassador Kitano’s Speech at the presentation ceremony of Japan’s Foreign Minister’s Commendation to Dr Declan Downey
2021/11/29
Date: 25 November 2021
Venue: 'Oakfield', Ambassador Kitano's Official Residence
Dr Declan Downey, Distinguished Guests, good evening,
Welcome to this occasion in honour of our esteemed friend and colleague Dr Declan Downey for being awarded Japan’s Foreign Minister’s Commendation in 2020 for his dedicated contribution to the promotion of mutual understanding between Japan and Ireland.
Congratulations, my dear friend Declan. I know this ceremony is long overdue. I wanted to have this opportunity last year. However, owing to the Covid-related restrictions we were not able to make it. I am delighted that you are all able to join me today in celebrating Declan on this happy occasion personally.
Everybody here is close to Declan. I don’t have to explain to you who Dr Declan Downey is. However, I would like to take a moment to commend his incredible accomplishments and contribution.
Declan is an outstanding Japanologist, but, at the same time, more than that. He has deep and extensive knowledge and insight into Japan’s history and politics. He is preparing a biography on Prime Minister YOSHIDA Shigeru, who was instrumental in establishing the state model of Japan after the Second World War, as Éamon de Valera did for Ireland after 1932. However, as you know very well, Declan’s perspective is not confined to Japan. Declan is a leading expert on Habsburg Spain, the Netherlands, Austria and Germany. It is truly stimulating to hear him talking about Japan, in a comparative framework.
Declan is a top-notch academic, but, at the same time, more than that. He has been engaged in what is happening in the real world. Declan served as an advisor to the Asian Strategy Committee, Department of the Taoiseach from 1998 to 2005, and also as a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Chester Beatty Library from 2012 to 2017. His close association with some of the political leaders has allowed him influence the course of action of real life.
Declan has an impact on the present, at the same time, furthermore on the future. It is incredible to come across Declan’s pupils in various quarters of the world, not only in Ireland but also in other countries. Declan has been teaching Japanese history at UCD for more than twenty-five years now. During this period, Declan has awakened an interest in Japan in countless students, and inspired many of them to apply for the JET Programme and the Japanese Government scholarship programme. I highly appreciate his long and sustained contribution to fostering an interest in Japan in successive generations of young people who act as a bridge between Japan and Ireland.
This is all about what Declan has accomplished. Given that he is still young, I feel it is not unreasonable to expect more to come. Taking this opportunity, allow me to wish, together with everyone here, all the best for Declan for his future endeavours.
Having said that, I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to Declan once again on being awarded his well-deserved Foreign Minister’s Commendation.
Venue: 'Oakfield', Ambassador Kitano's Official Residence
Dr Declan Downey, Distinguished Guests, good evening,
Welcome to this occasion in honour of our esteemed friend and colleague Dr Declan Downey for being awarded Japan’s Foreign Minister’s Commendation in 2020 for his dedicated contribution to the promotion of mutual understanding between Japan and Ireland.
Congratulations, my dear friend Declan. I know this ceremony is long overdue. I wanted to have this opportunity last year. However, owing to the Covid-related restrictions we were not able to make it. I am delighted that you are all able to join me today in celebrating Declan on this happy occasion personally.
Everybody here is close to Declan. I don’t have to explain to you who Dr Declan Downey is. However, I would like to take a moment to commend his incredible accomplishments and contribution.
Declan is an outstanding Japanologist, but, at the same time, more than that. He has deep and extensive knowledge and insight into Japan’s history and politics. He is preparing a biography on Prime Minister YOSHIDA Shigeru, who was instrumental in establishing the state model of Japan after the Second World War, as Éamon de Valera did for Ireland after 1932. However, as you know very well, Declan’s perspective is not confined to Japan. Declan is a leading expert on Habsburg Spain, the Netherlands, Austria and Germany. It is truly stimulating to hear him talking about Japan, in a comparative framework.
Declan is a top-notch academic, but, at the same time, more than that. He has been engaged in what is happening in the real world. Declan served as an advisor to the Asian Strategy Committee, Department of the Taoiseach from 1998 to 2005, and also as a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Chester Beatty Library from 2012 to 2017. His close association with some of the political leaders has allowed him influence the course of action of real life.
Declan has an impact on the present, at the same time, furthermore on the future. It is incredible to come across Declan’s pupils in various quarters of the world, not only in Ireland but also in other countries. Declan has been teaching Japanese history at UCD for more than twenty-five years now. During this period, Declan has awakened an interest in Japan in countless students, and inspired many of them to apply for the JET Programme and the Japanese Government scholarship programme. I highly appreciate his long and sustained contribution to fostering an interest in Japan in successive generations of young people who act as a bridge between Japan and Ireland.
This is all about what Declan has accomplished. Given that he is still young, I feel it is not unreasonable to expect more to come. Taking this opportunity, allow me to wish, together with everyone here, all the best for Declan for his future endeavours.
Having said that, I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to Declan once again on being awarded his well-deserved Foreign Minister’s Commendation.