Ireland's relationship with Japan
The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1957 and Embassies were opened in Dublin and Tokyo in 1964 and 1974 respectively. In recent years, both countries declared a strongly shared intention to take relations and exchanges to a new, higher level and to act together as like-minded partners on the global stage.
Growing economic ties
Economic ties between Ireland and Japan continue to develop, based on Ireland’s committed membership of the European Union, its Single Market, and Customs Union. The implementation of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) has resulted in positive beneficial effects for both sides.
Japan is Ireland’s second largest trading partner in the Asia Pacific region, with annual two-way trade of approximately €23 billion. Japan is the largest source of foreign direct investment into Ireland from the Asia-Pacific region, and a significant source generally. Key investment sectors are ICT, Financial Services/ Fintech and Life Sciences.
Vibrant Irish community in Japan
There are approximately 1,200-1,500 Irish citizens resident in Japan with the majority residing in Tokyo. Many of these have built a connection with Japan through exchange programmes and graduate placements. Awareness of Ireland in Japan continues to grow, with the presence of active community organisations. Every March, a wide range of St. Patrick’s Day activities take place in Tokyo and across Japan, including parades, festivals and greenings of famous landmarks.
Cultural connections
Ireland and Japan enjoy rich cultural heritage, and the Embassy of Ireland actively supports the thriving cultural links between both countries.
Irish literature is greatly appreciated in Japan. Irish literary giants Yeats, Joyce, Wilde, Shaw and Beckett have been translated into Japanese and have influenced Japanese artists. Many works by modern and contemporary Irish writers and playwrights have been published in Japanese and performed on stage in Japan.
Irish film and animation attract growing fans. Since 2023, an annual Irish Film Festival in Tokyo – organised by the Irish Embassy – showcases the diversity of Irish talent in these areas.
Traditional Irish music is also very popular in Japan, and regular dance and music sessions and workshops are available around the country.
Historical links
One of the best known historical links between Ireland and Japan is the Irish-Greek author, Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904), who settled in Japan in 1890. Hearn (known in Japan as Koizumi Yakumo) was one of Japan's earliest and chief interpreters for the English-speaking world. His works have often been included in Japanese schools textbooks.
A number of other Irish people made significant contributions to the development of Japan after the country opened up to the West following the Meiji Restoration in the 19th Century.
Notable among these were James William Fenton, who composed the earliest version of the Japanese national anthem in 1869 (although the original composition is no longer used) and urban engineer Thomas James Waters, who drafted street plans for the famous Ginza area of present day Tokyo.
Many Irish women and men working with the religious orders also made valuable contributions in Japan, particularly in the field of education.
Bilateral ties
As well as engaging in multilateral fora, Ireland and Japan share a strong bilateral relationship. Many high level visits have taken place throughout the years, demonstrating the strong bonds between the two countries.
In recent years, in July 2022, Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited Japan and met with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. At this meeting, they launched a Joint Leaders’ Statement “Taking Forward Partnership with Shared Ambition” to bring the two countries relations and exchanges to a new, higher level.