January - 1 月 2009 Ambassador's message I would like to ... - Ireland

Consul General in Kansai, Kunio Takeda. Speaking at the end of the visit, the Taoiseach said he
hoped the visit provided a firm basis from which to further deepen the political, business and
cultural ties between Ireland and Japan and invited Prime Minister Aso to visit Ireland in 2009.
Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce
Mr Seiji Kasama, CEO of Dimplex Japan, was elected President of the Ireland Japan Chamber of
Commerce in November. The IJCC's year kicked off with a reception in honour of the Taoiseach's
visit and Mr Kasama and the Board of Directors are planning a full programme of events in 2009.
Job Opportunity: Chamber Manager post
The Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce (IJCC) wishes to recruit a full-time manager to take
responsibility for the day to day management of its affairs. The manager post will be located in the
office of one of the Chamber's member companies and will work under the direction of the President
and the Board of the IJCC. Responsibilities of the job will include managing the Chamber's affairs,
organising events, liaising with members and updating the website. The successful candidate should
have good written and communication skills in English and Japanese and a valid work permit, if
required. A knowledge of or interest in Ireland-Japan relations would also be an advantage. For full
details of this position please contact Mr Takeshi Tsukii, one of the Chamber's Board members,
at main@ct-brand.com. The deadline for applications is 31 January 2009.
Networking Drinks, 5 February
The next regular informal networking evening will take place on Thursday, 5 February from 7pm at
La Boheme, Kita Aoyama - Omotesando station Exit B2 This event will be jointly hosted with the
Australia and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce. As usual, there is no cover charge, it is simply
a pay-for-what-you-order system so you have flexibility to come and go when you please. Demand
is expected to be high so please RSVP by email to secretariat@ijcc.jp as soon as possible to book
your place.
RTÉ podcast: 'Ireland of Tomorrow - A Presidential Lecture Series'
RTÉ radio broadcast three special programmes over the New Year holiday examining the kind of
Ireland that might emerge in the coming years. The programmes, 'Ireland of Tomorrow - A
Presidential Lecture Series', were broadcast in the Liveline slot on Radio 1 and are based on idea by
President McAleese. The aim of the three programmes is to discuss the nature, shape and values of
Ireland in the period ahead, including against the background of the current economic
challenges. The President's hope was that such a series might prompt a wider conversation
throughout the island and also the Irish diaspora around the world.
The series was recorded in front of an audience of young people at Áras an Uachtaráin, hosted by
the President and moderated by RTÉ's Joe Duffy. Each programme had a sub-theme addressed by a
guest keynote speaker - Martin O'Neill (Manager of Aston Villa football club ) on 'What it means
to be Irish'; Professor Louise Richardson (Harvard) on 'Ireland's Role in the World'; and Pádraig Ó
Ceidigh (Chairman of Aer Arann) on 'Ireland - Economy or Society'. The series is available on
podcast on the RTÉ website at http://www.rte.ie/radio1/presidential/.
Upcoming Events
The highlights of the 2009 Ireland Festival are set out below. Many of the events and parades have asked
for volunteers to help out on the day so if you are interested in getting involved click on the links below.
Parades in 2009