Promoting economic relations between Japan and Ireland
2026/9/2
Ambassador MIYAGAWA Manabu making congratulatory remarks (Photo courtesy of SMBC Aviation in September 2026)
Mr Joseph O’Connor (author) recited his poem on Ireland and Japan (Photo courtesy of SMBC Aviation in September 2026)
On 2 September, at National Gallery of Ireland, Ambassador MIYAGAWA Manabu attended SMBC Aviation Capital’s 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner to make congratulatory remarks (*see his speech below) following the speeches by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, and Mr Peter Barrett, CEO, SMBC Aviation Capital. Mr IMAEDA Tetsuro, President & CEO, SMFL concluded the dinner by expressing his resolve to further develop SMBC Aviation Capital for another 25 years to come.
The gathering was concluded by wonderful Irish and Japanese music performances and the recitation of poems by the following artists:
- Joseph O’Connor (author)
- Matt Molloy (flute)
- Cormac Begley (concertina)
- Stephanie Keane (dance)
- Sean Potts (pipes)
- Sophie Ryan (harp)
- Ryan Molloy (piano)
- Kevin Conneff (singer)
- Liam O’Connor (fiddle)
【Congratulatory remarks by Ambassador MIYAGAWA Manabu】
Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Mr Peter Barrett, Mr IMAEDA Tetsuro, Mr TACHIBANA Masaki, Mr UENO Shingo, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations on the 25th anniversary of SMBC Aviation Capital. I would also like to pay tribute to the company for having strategically chosen Ireland as the major base for its successful international operations. Most recently, I was pleased to learn about the company’s announcement of its plan to purchase 100 new aircraft from both Airbus and Boeing by 2030.
During last year’s visit by the Taoiseach to Japan, Ireland and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to further advancing concrete cooperation across a wide range of areas toward the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2027, including security, the economy, and people-to-people exchanges.
SMBC Aviation Capital has pioneered the aircraft leasing business, which will remain indispensable for the world economy and for deepening ties between Ireland and Japan, two of the most important like-minded countries committed to a rules-based international order.
The future of the company will be shaped by its members. Relations between Ireland and Japan will also be shaped by the people of our two countries. I wish the company, its members, and their families further success and prosperity for many years to come.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh.
大変ありがとうございました
The gathering was concluded by wonderful Irish and Japanese music performances and the recitation of poems by the following artists:
- Joseph O’Connor (author)
- Matt Molloy (flute)
- Cormac Begley (concertina)
- Stephanie Keane (dance)
- Sean Potts (pipes)
- Sophie Ryan (harp)
- Ryan Molloy (piano)
- Kevin Conneff (singer)
- Liam O’Connor (fiddle)
【Congratulatory remarks by Ambassador MIYAGAWA Manabu】
Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Mr Peter Barrett, Mr IMAEDA Tetsuro, Mr TACHIBANA Masaki, Mr UENO Shingo, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations on the 25th anniversary of SMBC Aviation Capital. I would also like to pay tribute to the company for having strategically chosen Ireland as the major base for its successful international operations. Most recently, I was pleased to learn about the company’s announcement of its plan to purchase 100 new aircraft from both Airbus and Boeing by 2030.
During last year’s visit by the Taoiseach to Japan, Ireland and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to further advancing concrete cooperation across a wide range of areas toward the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2027, including security, the economy, and people-to-people exchanges.
SMBC Aviation Capital has pioneered the aircraft leasing business, which will remain indispensable for the world economy and for deepening ties between Ireland and Japan, two of the most important like-minded countries committed to a rules-based international order.
The future of the company will be shaped by its members. Relations between Ireland and Japan will also be shaped by the people of our two countries. I wish the company, its members, and their families further success and prosperity for many years to come.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh.
大変ありがとうございました