TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen begins a five-day official visit to Japan today during which he will hold talks with prime minister Taro Aso and pay a courtesy call on Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Palace.
The visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations being established between Ireland and Japan in 1958. The events for the visit, which concludes on Saturday, have been scheduled mainly in the capital, Tokyo.
The Taoiseach will also lead a large trade delegation, comprised of representatives of some 70 Irish companies. At a senior political level, he will also be accompanied by Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith and the Minister of State for Trade and Commerce John McGuinness.
The purpose of Mr Cowen’s visit is to strengthen the political and economic links between the two countries and to give renewed impetus to trade links. Official invitations to foreign heads of state are strictly rationed by the Japanese prime minister’s office and are eagerly sought.
In addition to his meetings with the prime minister and the emperor, Mr Cowen will also deliver a major speech on foreign policy at Keio University in Tokyo. It is expected to deal with matters of interest for Irish and Japanese foreign policy, as well as with European Union matters.
Speaking before his departure from Dublin, Mr Cowen said: “The size of the trade mission, the diversity of industry sectors represented, and the calibre of Irish companies taking part, all testify to the commitment of Irish companies to do more business with Japan.
“The mission includes many of the key internationally traded sectors in the Irish economy such as information and communication technologies, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical technologies, aeronautical, engineering, financial services, high-value consumer goods and food.”
This is the first visit of a taoiseach to Japan since Bertie Ahern visited in 2004. However, Ireland then held the presidency of the EU and the visit occurred in the context of the EU-Japan summit of that year.
Mr Smith’s participation is seen as important in light of the recent dioxin crisis that affected the Irish pork industry. The Japanese market is one of the biggest worldwide for Irish pork producers. While exports of pork have been suspended as a result of the scare, the mission will focus on re-establishing Irish pork in the Japanese market. Ireland is the fourth biggest exporter to Japan in the EU. However, bilateral trade is still considered small at €4 billion.
The Taoiseach said that he believed that Japan, the second biggest economy in the world, will become a stronger force in future years, hence Ireland’s desire to build stronger relations.
