IASIL Japan, the Japan branch of the International Association for the Study of Irish Literatures, was established on the 10th October, 1984. Our aim from the beginning has been to encourage and act as a forum for Irish studies in Japan through teaching and research.We held our founding Conference at Waseda University, and we have held a conference every year since. In 1984, IASIL Japan also began publication of a bulletin, The Harp, whose title changed to The Journal of Irish Studies in 2000.