Minister Burke leading trade mission to Japan this week

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke is leading a trade and investment mission to Japan, accompanied by Enterprise Ireland CEO Designate Jenny Melia and IDA Ireland CEO Michael Lohan, reflecting the commitment by the Irish government to expanding investment and trade with Japan.

Two-way trade between Japan and Ireland now exceeds €21 billion and Japan is the number one source of foreign direct investment into Ireland from the Asia Pacific region. The investments are in the areas of technology services, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and financial services.

Minister Burke said: “Trade promotion and market diversification are key government priorities, and I see significant opportunities in Japan for both Irish companies and FDI. This week, we are engaging with dozens of major corporations to highlight Ireland’s global position as a stable location for investment, as well as helping Irish companies to build, scale and expand in this region.

“Looking ahead, the relationship between our two countries is based on shared values and mutual respect and as minister, I believe our work in this regard will facilitate this relationship growing deeper and stronger in the years ahead.

“With the CEOs of both the IDA and Enterprise Ireland, we are working hard this week to explore new avenues for growth in sectors with significant potential.”

Japan is a growing export market. More than 300 Enterprise Ireland clients do business there and more than 50 Irish companies have representations or presence in Japan.

The minister along with senior executives will also meet IDA’s potential and existing clients to set out the unique advantages of locating in Ireland to service a European marketplace of 450 million people. He will meet a number of Enterprise Ireland client companies seeking new opportunities for their products and services and will hold a number of political engagements with his counterparts in the Japanese government.

Minister Burke will visit the new Ireland House Tokyo, home to offices for the embassy, Team Ireland, including Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and IDA. The Team Ireland brand contributes to raising Ireland’s profile in Japan, by showcasing our cultural heritage, creativity and innovation through excellence in design and providing a platform for our state agencies to engage in and support Irish business interests in Japan.

In the second half of the week, the minister will attend the Osaka Expo 2025. Participation at Expo provides a platform for direct public diplomacy and an opportunity to increase visibility of Ireland in the region.

The development of the Irish Pavilion at Expo is a strong example of the Team Ireland approach, and there is active participation and engagement from across government departments and state agencies, working in tandem to promote Ireland on the world stage.