About UsOur Activities (March 2007) |
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29/03/07The Opening of the Shodo Geijutsu-In Japanese Calligraphy Exhibition
The opening reception of the exhibition On 29th March, as part of the ongoing commemorative events for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland, the 60th Jubilee Exhibition of the Shodo Geijutsu-In Foundation (the Association of Japanese Calligraphy), co-hosted by the Embassy of Japan, opened at the Atrium, Office of Public Works in Dublin. At the opening reception held on the same day, all the guests greatly appreciated the 75 works of Japanese calligraphy and demonstration by renowned masters. On 31st March, the first workshop was held also at the Atrium and attended by 42 participants, mostly Irish people. The participants enjoyed their first experience of Shodo by drawing their favourite Chinese and Japanese characters under the guidance of masters. The exhibition will continue until 19th April, and there will be the second workshop on the last day (please register in advance). We hope that many more people will visit the Atrium to appreciate a touch of the Japanese traditional culture of Shodo. 28/03/07 - 01/04/07The Visit of U-19 Japanese National Rugby Team to Dublin
The friendly match on 31st March The post match dinner In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland , the U-19 (under 19) Japanese National Rugby Team visited Dublin from 28th March to 1st April, prior to taking part in the U-19 World Cup held in Belfast from 5th April 2007. On 31st March, the Japanese Team played a friendly match against the Irish Schoolboys U-18 at St. Mary's College R.F.C. In the exciting match, the Irish pulled away in the last 15 minutes to win Ireland 32 –Japan 14. Hundreds of people from various circles watched the match, including members of the Japanese community in Ireland , representatives of TOYOTA Ireland , which generously sponsored the visit of the Japanese team, as well as members of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), and friends and family of the Irish players. It is our hope that this event will be a significant step towards further deepening Japan-Ireland exchange through sports. 11/03/0718th Irish Go Open: Japanese Ambassador's CupAs part of the commemorative events of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland, the Irish Go Congress 2007 organised by the Irish Go Association (IGA) was held from 9 - 11 March in Dublin. The 11th Irish Rapid Play was held on the first day and the 18th Irish Open was held on the second and the third days. There were 47 participants from 15 countries, and after a series of hard and close games, Mr. D.K. Kim from Korea won the first prize in this year's Irish Open. The Japanese Ambassador's Commemorative Cup was awarded for the first time this year to the winner in commemoration of the 50th anniversary. This Commemorative Cup will be presented every year alternately to the winners of the Irish Open in the future.There are go clubs in the major cities around Ireland, and you are encouraged to contact the Irish Go Association for further information. 10/03/07The 5th JLTI Japanese Speech Contest
The Japanese Speech Contest On 10th March, as a part of ongoing commemorative events for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland, the 5th Japanese Speech Contest was organised by the Japanese Language Teachers of Ireland (JLTI) at the Clock Tower of the Department of Education and Science in Dublin, with assistance from the Japan Foundation as well as support from the Embassy of Japan, the Japan Business Society in Ireland, and the Department of Education and Science. Twenty-four contestants showed the fruits of their hard learning of Japanese in three categories "Beginner/Intermediate Level", "Secondary School Category", and "Intermediate/Advanced Level". The level of Japanese of every contestant was so high that the judges including Ambassador Hayashi as a chair had a hard time to place them. After much consultation by the judges, Ms. Maria Oleinik in "Beginner/Intermediate Level" and Mr. Eddy Ospina in "Intermediate/Advanced Level" were respectively awarded the first prizes, a return ticket to Japan (sponsored by All Nippon Airways and the Japan Business Society in Ireland), and the winner of "Secondary School Category", Ms. Samantha Marie Garcia, received a digital video camera (sponsored by Sony Ireland). The annual Japanese Speech Contest will provide an ideal opportunity for learners in Ireland to present the results of their hard work studying Japanese. 06/03/07Lecture & Demonstration of IKEBANAThe Embassy of Japan organised 2 lectures and demonstrations of Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) by Ms. Keiko Yoshino master teacher of Sogetsu School of Ikebana in London at the University College Dublin (UCD) Quinn School of Business on Tue. 6 March 2007, and at the Japanese Ambassador's residence on Wed. 7 March 2007, as part of the programme of its commemorative events for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland. The lecture and demonstration held at UCD was co-organised with UCD and the Ireland Japan Association (IJA), and a large number of the general public as well as members of both organisation came to this event. Ms. Yoshino, after briefly touching upon the history of Ikebana and the formation of several ikebana schools, demonstrated how to arrange flowers in the Japanese style in front of the audience using plants and flowers available in Ireland. As horticulture and gardening are very popular in Ireland, we believe this events helped to enhance the participants' interest in and better understanding of the Japanese traditional art of Ikebana. 05-06/03/07Lectures by Mr. Hiroshi Tsukamoto
On 5th and 6th March, Mr. Hiroshi Tsukamoto, President of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) gave lectures entitled Japan's Challenge: Creating Future through Innovation at the Tyndall National Institute ( Cork , 5th) and UCD Michael Smurfit School of Business (Dublin, 6th). In his lectures, which were held as part of commemorative event of the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland, Mr. Tsukamoto made presentations on the economic policies of the Abe Cabinet, with an emphasis on innovation, stating that with Japan and Ireland placing great importance on R&D, there should be much room for the two countries to cooperate in fields such as science and technology. The lectures were well-attended by people including government officials as well as businessmen and the academic, who listened attentively to Mr. Tsukamoto. 05/03/07A Commemorative Event to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and IrelandOn 5th March 2007, the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ireland which were officially established on 5th March 1957, a commemorative event was held at the Mansion House in Dublin (official residence of the Lord Mayor) and was attended by various guests who have strong ties with Japan and Ireland, including former Taoisigh Mr. Liam Cosgrave and Dr. Garret Fitzgerald, Nobel Prize-winning poet Dr. Seamus Heaney, and other TDs and government officials, and members of Ireland and Japan friendship organisations. At the event, Ambassador Hayashi and Mr. Tim O'Malley TD, Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, made speeches in which they respectively read the messages exchanged between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and An Taoiseach Mr. Bertie Ahern. In the messages, the two leaders pledged that they will further consolidate friendship and cooperation between the two countries on this historic occasion of the golden anniversary. |
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