About Us

Our Activities (January 2007)

    　

28/01/07

Visit Japan Campaign (The Holiday World Show at RDS)


The Embassy of Japan participated in the Holiday World Show at RDS Simmons Court from 25 - 28 January for the first time this year as a part of its ongoing commemorative events for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland. At the Japan booth, we distributed a variety of pamphlets on tourism in Japan, gave advice on visiting Japan, played "Visit Japan Campaign" DVD, performed origami demonstration, and conducted a survey on tourism in Japan. The visitors also were given an opportunity to appreciate Japanese tea, Japanese rice wine sake and snacks at the booth. We are very much pleased that a lot of people dropped by the Japan booth during the Show and expressed their keen interest in Japan. We do hope these people would visit Japan in the future.

22/01/07

Japanese Food Night

Lecture by Mr. Sakurai                                          A Japanese chef making sushi


As part of the commemorative events of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland, the Embassy of Japan held a cultural event "Japanese Food Night" to introduce Japanese culinary culture including premium Sake to Irish people at the official residence of Ambassador Hayashi in Dublin. Mr. Hiroshi Sakurai, the president and prominent Japanese Sake (rice wine) brewer of Asahi Shuzo Brewery (Yamaguchi Prefecture), gave a lecture on the history and production process of Japanese Sake, and how to appreciate it with different kinds of food. In addition, a Japanese chef demonstrated his excellent skill in making sushi on the spot. We invited food and wine critics, executives of alcohol importing and distributing companies, and chefs and sommeliers of acclaimed restaurants as this event's guests. Even though some of the guests tasted Japanese food and Sake for the first time, we received very favourable reviews from them, and believe that this event contributed to introducing the history and profoundness of Japanese culinary culture to Irish people. Our Embassy would like to continue its efforts to help Japanese food and Sake become more popular here in Ireland by holding similar Japanese culinary events in future.

20/01/07

The 7th Irish National Kendo Championships and International Goodwill Tournament


Ambassador Hayashi, members of the IKF, and winners of Championships      Kendo match


The 7th Irish National Kendo Championships and International Goodwill Tournament hosted by Kendo Na h-Eireann (the Irish Kendo Federation) were held at University College Cork on January 20th. In order to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland, Ambassador Hayashi attended the event and the prize giving ceremony as a guest of the IKF. Although Ireland's kendo population is still small and developing, the matches at the Championships and Tournament were fought at a considerably high level. At the prize giving ceremony, Ambassador Hayashi donated "the Japanese Ambassador's Cup", which was specially made to commemorate the 50th anniversary and will be awarded to every year's Irish Individual Champion from now on. Ambassador Hayashi also announced that kendo equipment will be presented by All Japan Kendo Federation through our Embassy to Kendo Na h-Eireann next month. Our Embassy would like to continue its effort towards the development of Japanese traditional sports here in Ireland. 

18/01/07

IJA Annual Dinner to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Japan-Ireland Ties


The Ireland Japan Association (IJA) Annual Dinner was held in Dublin on 18th January as a major part of the programme of commemorative events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland and Mr. Dermot Ahern, TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs attended as guest of honour. Mr. Ahern mentioned the fascination of Japan in his address and emphasised the importance of Japan as a strategic partner. He also called for further expansion of the business relations and cultural exchanges between Ireland and Japan. During the dinner, the winner of the Logo Competition for the 50th Anniversary was announced. This logo will be used at various occasions to celebrate the 50th anniversary in 2007.

16/01/07

A Business Seminar "Doing Business in Japan"


On 16th January, a seminar entitled Doing Business in Japan (hosted by Chambers Ireland as National Coordinator of the EU Gateway to Japan Programme) was held in Dublin. This seminar was the first of a series of events being held to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland . In his opening address to the seminar, Ambassador Hayashi emphasised that“quality” (including“safety”) and “differentiation” are the two key words for foreign exporters seeking to penetrate the Japanese market. At the same time, he expressed his earnest wish for more and more Irish companies to establish export and/or investment relationships with Japan , in the light of the fact that the Japanese economy is now fully back on track. Following presentations from a variety of perspectives, including the current status of the Japanese market, constructive and active discussions took place among the participants.

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