Ireland Japan 2025
A historic year for Ireland-Japan relations
2025 has been an exciting year for Ireland in Japan, with a full programme of projects and events that spanned the course of the year; the new Ireland House in Tokyo, the Ireland Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, and with other key partners throughout Japan.
The Ireland-Japan 2025 programme covered education, research, sport, culture and art, building on our existing strong political and economic connections.
1,500
Irish citizens living in Japan
1957
Diplomatic relations between Ireland and Japan were established
€21.5 billion
In annual two-way trade
The opening of Ireland House Tokyo, the new home for our Embassy and Irish State Agencies, and our presence at World Expo Osaka, Kansai in 2025, represented the most ambitious investment in this valued relationship since the opening of Ireland’s Embassy in Tokyo in 1973.
Explore the timeline of Ireland’s relationship with Japan
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1957
Diplomatic relations between Ireland and Japan established
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1964
Embassy of Japan in Ireland opens
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1966
Ireland and Japan sign Visa Exemption Agreement
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1973
Embassy of Ireland in Japan opens
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1983
President Hillery makes state visit to Japan
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1995
President Mary Robinson makes state visit to Japan
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2005
Their Majesties the Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visit Ireland
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2007
Launch of Working Holiday Scheme between Ireland and Japan
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2010
Ireland-Japan Social Security Agreement comes into effect
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2013
Memorandum on Cooperation in the fields of Education, Science, Technology, Culture, and Sports
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2013
Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe make reciprocal visits/Joint Declaration “Partnership for Innovation and Growth”
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2022
Joint Leaders’ Statement “Taking Forward Partnership with Shared Ambition”
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2025
New Ireland House opens in Tokyo
Shared connections
At the centre of Ireland-Japan 2025 was a cultural programme that highlighted aspects of our own culture that resonate with Japan. Despite a distance spanning the entire Eurasian landmass, we share connections through our common history as nations of storytellers, musicians and makers.
Ireland and Japan share a mutual curiosity and appreciation for literature, music, storytelling and the wide variety of art forms which come together to create the very foundation of our folklore and traditions. Ireland-Japan 2025 brought together the commonalities between our cultures, highlighting themes of identity and exile, and a mutual fascination and reverence for nature’s unknowns.
From stories of St Brigid to commonalities between our cultures, Ireland-Japan 2025 aimed to strengthen the bonds between our two nations.
Ireland at Expo 2025
This year’s World Expo, a once-in-five year global gathering, took place in Osaka city, in the Kansai region of Japan. Ireland joined over 150 countries and international organisations participating in the event from April to October 2025.
At the Ireland Pavilion, visitors immersed themselves in Irish tradition and technology, creativity and culture, in a space designed to appeal to all the senses.
