Remembering Tom Hardiman

A look back at Dr. T.P. Hardiman's links with the EU-Japan Centre

Tom Hardiman, the Irish industrialist, committed European and ardent advocate for EU-Japan relations has died aged 91. An engineering and science graduate, his broad career took him from Irish radio and television, through chairmanship of Irish business and other organisations, roles in Brussels, London and Paris, to a governorship of the Asia Europe Federation in Singapore. Widely respected internationally in business and public life, he was an approachable, relatable and loyal individual, who took time to get to know and support the people he encountered.

Tom's formal links with the EU-Japan Centre go back to our early years, initially as a Member (until 2016) of our Supervisory Body and from 1999 as Deputy Chairman of the EU-side of the EU-Japan Business (Dialogue) Round Table (or BRT). Previously there had been two EU-Japan business assemblies – the EU-Japan Round Table of Industrialists and the EU-Japan Business Forum (Tom was its final EU-side Chairman). At the suggestion of the EU and Japanese Authorities, these two bodies came together to form the present day BRT. Tom remained in the BRT until 2011 and for several years co-led its Working Party on Accounting and Tax Issues.

Tom's influence on the Centre went beyond these formal roles. His interest in business and personnel development led him to support our Vulcanus internships placing European students of science and engineering with Japanese host companies and vice versa. A suggestion of his helped develop our lean activities in Japan and start similar activities in Europe aimed at helping EU industry adopt Japanese manufacturing best practice. (Tom encouraged Richard Keegan, then working for the Irish National Science and Technology Agency, to 'support the Centre', creating a relationship that has guided our lean activities for over 20 years.)

Tom was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, by the Emperor of Japan in 1986 for his efforts to promote European-Japanese business relationships and mutual understanding.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis