The Sir Peter Parker Awards for Spoken Business Japanese were established in 1990 by Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) London and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London.

The overwhelming victory of the main opposition Democratic Party (DPJ) in the Lower House elections of 30 August was widely forecast.

It’s time to sharpen your pencils and apply your thinking hats for the chance to win a week’s stay in Japan.

The Japan Exchange Teaching (JET) Programme is a Japanese Government programme, now in its 22nd year, which aims to promote grass roots internationalisation and improve foreign language skills by inviting young overseas graduates to take up positions in Japanese local schools, boards of education and local government offices.

Our plan when visiting Japan on a three-week holiday last year was to get a good overall “feel” for the country by following an itinerary which would combine visits to cities, monasteries, shrines and temples with walking in the countryside. 

The Japan Foreign Trade Council have an essay competition currently open for entries until the 25 September.

For a long time, Japan has been tarnished as one of the world’s most expensive places to visit. Indeed many rule out the idea of holidaying in Japan based on these somewhat “dated” assumptions.

Dick Ryan (Former IJA Chairman 2006-2008) was commended for his outstanding contribution to Ireland and Japan relations over the past 36 years, by Ambassador Urabe.

The 9th World Festival of Cultures was held in Dun Laoghaire from 29-30 August. Japan and the IJA were well represented at the event which drew in crowds estimated at 180,000 people over the two days.

This lecture was given by Professor Mariko Fujii of Tokyo University on Monday, 25th May, 2009, and was organised jointly by the Embassy of Japan in Ireland and the Ireland Japan Association.

The Japanese Embassy in Ireland has organised for the visit of Mr. Wakamiya (a columnist with the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun) to give a talk on the recent election in Japan in UCD on October 12.

The Koishi Restaurant in Ballsbridge was completely full for the Japanese food tasting event on the 18 June.

A list of links to external websites with articles of interest to members. Websites listed include NHK - the RTÉ of Japan, the Kanji Project, the Japan Centre and Nipponia magazine.