Annual Dinner of the Ireland Japan Association
2026/5/15
Mr Neil Cowhey, Chairperson, Ireland Japan Association addressing attendees at the annual dinner of the Association (Photo taken in May 2026)
Mr Peter Barrett, CEO, SMBC Aviation Capital addressing attendees at the annual dinner of the Association (Photo taken in May 2026)
The annual dinner of the Ireland Japan Association (IJA) held in Dublin on 15 May began with the opening remarks by Mr Neil Cowhey, Chairperson of the IJA, and concluded with a speech by Mr Peter Barrett, CEO of SMBC Aviation Capital, on exchanges between Japan and Ireland based on his own experiences over the last decades.
Among those attending were Ms Anne Barrington, who served as Ambassador of Ireland to Japan during the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland in 2017, as well as representatives from Japanese and Irish businesses, the legal profession, and the cultural and educational sectors. The event provided an opportunity for participants to reflect on the Association’s activities over the past year and to deepen their ties of friendship.
From the Embassy of Japan in Ireland, Researcher Ms ONOZAKI performed a "Kagura" dance entitled “Toyosaka”, while Ambassador MIYAGAWA delivered congratulatory remarks praising the Association for receiving the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation last year and expressing his perspective on the future of Japan–Ireland relations. Looking ahead to the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland in 2027, the Embassy will continue working together with the IJA to further enhance the ties of friendship and goodwill between our two countries.
【Address by Ambassador MIYAGAWA Manabu】
Mr Neil Cowhey, Chairperson of the Ireland Japan Association, Her Excellency Ms Anne Barrington, former Ambassador of Ireland to Japan, Mr Peter Barrett, CEO of SMBC Aviation Capital, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
It is my great honour and pleasure to join you this evening together with my wife, Noriko. Over the past year, Ireland and Japan have enjoyed the steadfast development of our relations. Since last year, the Taoiseach and eight Ministers have visited Japan. Many Irish and Japanese people have deepened our ties and mutual understanding through Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, the JET programme, and the Japanese TV drama featuring Lafcadio Hearn among others. Irish products—including grass-fed meat, whiskey, and pharmaceuticals—are widely exported and highly valued in Japan. In the Irish market, Japanese automobiles remain popular, and about 120 Japanese companies of various sizes create approximately 10,000 jobs across Ireland.
The IJA has always played a vital role in making our bilateral relations rich and resilient. I would like to once again extend my heartfelt congratulations on the Association’s receipt of the Foreign Minister’s Commendation last year. Most recently, the Embassy of Japan was delighted to co-host, together with the IJA, an excellent panel discussion on artificial intelligence, moderated by Mr Raymond Hegarty, Vice Chairman of the IJA.
Now ladies and gentlemen, this July, Ireland will assume the EU Presidency. Seven years have passed since the entry into force of the Japan–EU Economic Partnership Agreement. At a time when we observe increasingly unpredictable movements towards policies such as “Made in Europe” or the “Industrial Accelerator Act” led by some European countries, the voices and joint actions of Ireland and Japan will become ever more important. We will continue to count on Ireland.
On a brighter note, I am pleased to highlight that the first consultation between JAXA and the European Space Agency on future cooperation in space—including data sharing to address climate change—was held in March. In February, Ireland opened the European Space Agency’s first R&D laboratory in Co. Westmeath. Research and development, particularly in the space sector, will become increasingly important and represent a promising new frontier for Japan–Ireland cooperation. Space is closely interconnected with fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and climate action.
Last but not least, looking ahead to next year, the Embassy of Japan in Dublin and the Embassy of Ireland in Tokyo have opened applications for a joint Irish–Japanese logo to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, from 1 May to 30 June. Japan Airlines has kindly offered a return ticket between a European city and Tokyo, and the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will kindly fund another return ticket between the European city and Dublin for the winner of this competition. I wish all applicants the very best of luck.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh.
Among those attending were Ms Anne Barrington, who served as Ambassador of Ireland to Japan during the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland in 2017, as well as representatives from Japanese and Irish businesses, the legal profession, and the cultural and educational sectors. The event provided an opportunity for participants to reflect on the Association’s activities over the past year and to deepen their ties of friendship.
From the Embassy of Japan in Ireland, Researcher Ms ONOZAKI performed a "Kagura" dance entitled “Toyosaka”, while Ambassador MIYAGAWA delivered congratulatory remarks praising the Association for receiving the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation last year and expressing his perspective on the future of Japan–Ireland relations. Looking ahead to the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland in 2027, the Embassy will continue working together with the IJA to further enhance the ties of friendship and goodwill between our two countries.
【Address by Ambassador MIYAGAWA Manabu】
Mr Neil Cowhey, Chairperson of the Ireland Japan Association, Her Excellency Ms Anne Barrington, former Ambassador of Ireland to Japan, Mr Peter Barrett, CEO of SMBC Aviation Capital, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
It is my great honour and pleasure to join you this evening together with my wife, Noriko. Over the past year, Ireland and Japan have enjoyed the steadfast development of our relations. Since last year, the Taoiseach and eight Ministers have visited Japan. Many Irish and Japanese people have deepened our ties and mutual understanding through Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, the JET programme, and the Japanese TV drama featuring Lafcadio Hearn among others. Irish products—including grass-fed meat, whiskey, and pharmaceuticals—are widely exported and highly valued in Japan. In the Irish market, Japanese automobiles remain popular, and about 120 Japanese companies of various sizes create approximately 10,000 jobs across Ireland.
The IJA has always played a vital role in making our bilateral relations rich and resilient. I would like to once again extend my heartfelt congratulations on the Association’s receipt of the Foreign Minister’s Commendation last year. Most recently, the Embassy of Japan was delighted to co-host, together with the IJA, an excellent panel discussion on artificial intelligence, moderated by Mr Raymond Hegarty, Vice Chairman of the IJA.
Now ladies and gentlemen, this July, Ireland will assume the EU Presidency. Seven years have passed since the entry into force of the Japan–EU Economic Partnership Agreement. At a time when we observe increasingly unpredictable movements towards policies such as “Made in Europe” or the “Industrial Accelerator Act” led by some European countries, the voices and joint actions of Ireland and Japan will become ever more important. We will continue to count on Ireland.
On a brighter note, I am pleased to highlight that the first consultation between JAXA and the European Space Agency on future cooperation in space—including data sharing to address climate change—was held in March. In February, Ireland opened the European Space Agency’s first R&D laboratory in Co. Westmeath. Research and development, particularly in the space sector, will become increasingly important and represent a promising new frontier for Japan–Ireland cooperation. Space is closely interconnected with fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and climate action.
Last but not least, looking ahead to next year, the Embassy of Japan in Dublin and the Embassy of Ireland in Tokyo have opened applications for a joint Irish–Japanese logo to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, from 1 May to 30 June. Japan Airlines has kindly offered a return ticket between a European city and Tokyo, and the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will kindly fund another return ticket between the European city and Dublin for the winner of this competition. I wish all applicants the very best of luck.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh.
Ms Rie Mishima, Council Member, Ireland Japan Association moderating the annual dinner of the Association (Photo taken in May 2026)
Ms ONOZAKI, Researcher at the Embassy of Japan in Ireland performing a "Kagura" dance at the annual dinner of the Ireland Japan Association (Photo taken in May 2026)
H.E. Mr MIYAGAWA Manabu, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, addressing attendees at the annual dinner of the Ireland Japan Association. Behind him, the Irish Japanese joint logo to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations in 2017 can be seen. (Photo taken in May 2026)
H.E. Mr MIYAGAWA Manabu, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, addressing attendees at the annual dinner of the Ireland Japan Association. (Photo taken in May 2026)