The Chamber celebrated its 50th anniversary in the company of esteemed guests of the Ireland-Japan business community at the 2023 Ireland Japan Business Awards in the Conrad Tokyo on Wednesday 22nd November.

Each year the Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce have the honour of celebrating key companies and individuals for their outstanding contributions to Ireland-Japan business relations. 

Historically, the IJCC has presented award certificates to each awardee in their category. In honour of our 50th anniversary, the IJCC were delighted to present engraved trophies to each awardee for this year's business awards. Many thanks to imageMILL for their generous sponsorship and for the brilliant trophy design.

The Special Recognition Award was one of 5 award categories presented this year.

The IJCC recognises the exceptional achievements of an outstanding group or individual who has made notable contributions to the relationship between Ireland and Japan.

On behalf of the Chamber, we are delighted to announce two winners in this category in commemoration of 50 years of the IJCC.

The Ireland Japan Business Awards 2023 Special Recognition was awarded to ermhoi.

ermhoi is a versatile track maker and singer who proudly embraces her Japanese and Irish heritage while effortlessly exploring various genres.

Released the 1st album "Junior Refugee" from Salvaged Tapes in 2015. Her activities extend beyond providing music for films and TV commercials, as well as remixes, to a wide range of support roles such as vocals, synthesizers, and backing vocals. In addition to collaborating with talented contemporaries such as Shun Ishiwaka (Answer to Remember, CRCK/LCKS, SMTK), Daiki Tsuneta (King Gnu), and Ayatake Ezaki (WONK), she has also shared the stage with visionary musicians like Eiko Ishibashi, Jim O'Rouke, Phew, and Ibeyi, each with their distinct artistic universe.

She has also been selected as featured artists in works by MONDO GROSSO, Tokyo Shio Koji, Sen Morimoto, and Maika Loubté, building relationships with artists active both domestically and internationally. Furthermore, she formed a group called black boboi in 2018 with Utena Kobayashi and Julia Shortreed, and performed at the Red Marquee of "FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL '19". Since 2019, she has also been involved in Millennium Parade led by Daiki Tsuneta.

Special Recognition Award

ermhoi (https://ermhoi.com/)

ermhoi received the award and shared a moving statement on her dual Irish-Japanese identity and the bridging of the two countries through her music in her Special Recognition Award acceptance speech.

ermhoi, pictured with IJCC President Yoshihiro Tsuchiya, Embassy of Ireland Economic Counsellor Rory Conaty, Deputy Head of Mission Catherine O'Donovan and Agriculture Attaché Eoghan Murphy with the Special Recognition Award.

Comment by ermhoi:

"I am honoured and grateful for this unique opportunity. As a musician based in Japan, the challenges of COVID-19 deepened my appreciation for cultural exploration. Despite being in Tokyo, my connection to my Irish roots eventually led me to start learning the Irish harp. This recognition is an excellent chance for me to envision a future where my cultural influences blend, creating new musical possibilities and being a part of the bridge between the Irish and Japanese music communities."

We were delighted to also have ermhoi and bassist Marty Holoubek take to the stage in a special performance after receiving the award.

Go raibh míle maith agat to all the awardees from the 2023 Ireland Japan Business Awards. We were privileged to honour such incredible achievements from the Ireland-Japan community on our stage and we know both Ireland and Japan will only go from strength to strength in 2024 and beyond.