Taoiseach Micheál Martin has begun a four-day visit across three Japanese cities, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations, trade, and cultural ties, reports RTE.
This trip follows a series of recent Cabinet-level visits to Japan, including one by Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke.
Tokyo is the first stop, where the Taoiseach will hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
Japan ranks as Ireland’s second biggest trading partner in the Asia-Pacific region, with trade between the two nations exceeding €21 billion, reports RTE.
Before departing, the Taoiseach stated: “In an increasingly complex geopolitical environment, Japan is an important strategic partner for Ireland on the global stage.
“Ireland and Japan are very like-minded on the major issues facing the world and I look forward to exchanging views with Prime Minister Ishiba and discussing how to strengthen the ties between our two countries,” reports RTE.
He will also take part in the official opening of Ireland House Tokyo, which will house the Irish Embassy and various trade and investment bodies.
Mr Martin’s next stop will be Osaka, where he will participate in Expo 2025, reports RTE.
The Government views the event, expected to attract 28 million attendees, as an opportunity to enhance Ireland’s visibility in Japan.
On the last day of the tour, Mr Martin will visit Hiroshima, where he will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph to commemorate 80 years since the atomic bombing, reports RTE.
Mr Martin expressed his sentiments about the visit: “to remember all those who died as a result of the atomic bombing 80 years ago”.
“The memorial at Hiroshima is a stark reminder to us all of the devastation wrought by nuclear war and the importance of peace and stability across the world,” he said, reports RTE.
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