Taoiseach to meet prime minister and lay wreath at Hiroshima on four-day visit to Japan
The Taoiseach is today kicking off a four-day trip to Japan where he will try to strengthen trade and cultural links between the country and Ireland.Micheál Martin is due to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo on Wednesday. He will also attend meetings with businesses linked with the IDA and Bord Bia on Tuesday.Mr Martin previously visited Japan as Taoiseach in 2022, meeting with former Japanese PM Fumio Kishida and turning the sod on Ireland House Tokyo.He will officially open the building on Wednesday, with the site playing host to Ireland’s embassy in Japan, as well as agencies like the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia.On Thursday, Mr Martin will travel from Tokyo to Osaka, where he is due to attend Expo 2025, where Ireland has a pavilion showcasing Irish culture.For the final day of the visit, the Taoiseach will visit Hiroshima where he is due to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph to mark 80 years since the atomic bombing of the city.Speaking ahead of his visit, Mr Martin said Japan is an “important strategic partner” amidst the increasingly turbulent geopolitical environment.
“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,” Mr Martin said.“I am looking forward to opening the new Ireland House Tokyo, a significant milestone in Ireland’s relationship with Japan, and to visiting the Irish pavilion at Expo which is showcasing Ireland’s creativity and culture.“I am also honoured to visit Hiroshima 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.”
