October 2024
JaSt and the UCD Centre for Asia-Pacific Research jointly hosted a celebration event to mark the publication of Adjunct Prof. John Neary’s book ‘Public Diplomacy in Ireland and Japan’ at the Museum of Literature Ireland on the 22nd of October.
Left to right: Dr Steffen Rimner (Dir. Centre for Asia-Pacific Research/School of History), His Excellency Mr Norio Maruyama (Ambassador of Japan to Ireland), Adjunct Prof. John Neary (Former Ambassador of Ireland to Japan/the Kingdom of the Netherlands), Prof. Orla Feely (President, UCD), Assoc. Prof. Naonori Kodate (Dir. JaSt/Co-Dir. Public Policy Proragmme in UCD)
On 22nd of October, 2024, JaSt and the UCD Centre for Asia-Pacific Research jointly hosted a book launch and celebration event to mark the publication of Adjunct Prof. John Neary’s book ‘Public Diplomacy in Ireland and Japan’ (published by Amsterdam University Press).
His Excellency Ambassador Mr Maruyama Norio and President of UCD, Professor Orla Feely gave a speech while the JaSt Director, Assoc. Prof. Kodate served as Master of Ceremonies for the evening.
Both Ambassador and President underscored the significance of Prof. Neary’s book in light of the current world affairs. President Feely emphasised in her speech that the book highlights the value of the UCD Centre for Japanese Studies (established in April 2020) by showing the important role that educational and academic links can play in the development of relations between Ireland and Japan.
Adjunct Prof. Neary was appointed by the School and the College of Social Sciences and Law in 2017, and the book project began then. Therefore, it was several years in the making, and the team at the UCD Centre for Japanese Studies was particularly delighted with the publication.
Prof. Neary’s family and former colleagues from the Department of Foreign Affairs joined this celebratory event as well.
Left to Right: Three former Ambassadors of Ireland to Japan – Mr Paul Kavanagh, Mr Neary and Ms Anne Barrington, with Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, Mr Norio Maruyama.
The UCD Centre for Japanese Studies came out of its precursor, UCD Japan Group (which still exists, providing outreach activities for secondary schools and other bodies in the community) and the group has been active for nearly ten years. The publication of his book marks a very important milestone for the entire team and the university community.
We thank Ms Hannah Lyons at MoLI and Mr Hugo O’Donnell (UCD Japan Group) for their help and assistance with the preparations for this event, and thank everyone for joining us along this journey so far!