Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Tokyo, 30 June 2025 – Taoiseach Micheál Martin met today with Prime Minister of Japan, Shigeru Ishiba, in Tokyo to advance the growing partnership between Ireland and Japan. The meeting focused on strengthening economic cooperation, deepening diplomatic ties, and reaffirming Ireland’s strategic engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.
Following the meeting, Taoiseach Martin emphasized the shared values and longstanding relationship between the two countries:
“There is a longstanding, strong friendship between Ireland and Japan. We agreed to build on this mutually beneficial partnership and further strengthen the economic ties between our countries.”
Japan remains one of Ireland’s key trading partners in Asia. The Taoiseach highlighted both countries’ commitment to open markets, innovation, and enterprise as core areas of alignment.
The leaders also reviewed progress since the signing of the Ireland-Japan Joint Leaders’ Statement in 2022, which set out a framework for enhanced cooperation across political, economic, cultural, and educational sectors.
Amid global geopolitical shifts, Taoiseach Martin underlined the importance of strong partnerships with like-minded democracies:
“In an increasingly complex geopolitical environment, it is important that we build on the relationships we have with partners such as Japan.”
The Taoiseach also acknowledged Ireland’s active role in Japan’s Expo 2025 and marked the official opening of Ireland House Tokyo—the new integrated premises housing Ireland’s Embassy and state agencies, including Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, and Bord Bia. The facility serves as a key platform for promoting Irish trade, investment, culture, and innovation in Japan.
The meeting reaffirmed both governments’ commitment to continued collaboration in areas including digital transformation, green technologies, higher education, and global security cooperation.
Ireland Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Prime Minister of Japan Shigeru Ishiba Picture by Japan Prime Ministers Office Media Team