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The Journal
4 hours ago
- Business
- The Journal
This Irish embassy in Japan is the state's most expensive building constructed outside Ireland
IRELAND HOUSE IN Tokyo is the most expensive capital project the Irish government has undertaken outside the island of Ireland. The building, which will hold the new embassy, the ambassador's residence as well as the hubs for Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and Bord Bia, was officially launched today by Taoiseach Micheál Martin. In 2017, the government decided to develop a new Ireland House in Japan to showcase and promote Ireland. At a cost of €20.5 million it is the most expensive building constructed outside the state. Though questions have been raised in the past about the cost, it is just three years since the Taoiseach turned the sod on the project and it has come in on budget. Advertisement Taoiseach turning the sod on the project three years ago. PA PA Batting away the criticisms about the cost in 2020, Brendan Rogers, the former deputy secretary general of the Department of Foreign Affairs, told the Business Post that money spent was fully justified. 'This will represent Ireland to the Japanese nation,' he said, stating that creating a good impression was extremely important when it came to doing business in Asia. Henry J Lyons, a Dublin architectural firm, won the design competition for the project five years ago. Peter McGovern, architect and director of the firm told The Journal that the project is about integrating the Irish tower house and the very traditional Japanese timber joinery in one contemporary fusion. Related Reads Over Guinness and Enya music, Martin talks trade, undersea cables and 'Bakebake' with Japanese PM Flogging beef tongue and Irish whiskey: Taoiseach and ministers travel to Japan in major trade push I Henry J Lyons Henry J Lyons 'Tokyo is a very particular kind of city, and it's quite different than Dublin. Context is less important in terms of the architectural language. So this building is really quite distinctive own identity,' he said. 'I think you've seen everybody who comes into the building, take an intake of breath. It is stunning. The light quality, the way the spaces flow, are all very positive. And I think that this is the way we should be presenting ourselves, particularly on foreign soils, as a confident nation, who have a real place in the world,' he added. Speaking today at Ireland House, the Taoiseach said the Irish government's decision to build Ireland House Tokyo is a very tangible sign of Ireland's commitment to the relationship with Japan. He said the building will 'serve as a platform for Team Ireland to continue their very valuable work here in Tokyo for decades to come.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Agriland
3 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
Enterprise minister to lead trade mission to Japan
The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke is leading a trade and investment mission to Japan, this week (June 2025). The minister will be accompanied by Enterprise Ireland CEO designate, Jenny Melia and IDA Ireland CEO, Michael Lohan. 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. 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,' the minister added. Japan According to the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Japan is a growing export market, with over 300 Enterprise Ireland clients doing business in Japan, and over 50 Irish companies having representations or presence in Japan. Minister Burke 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 with a number of Enterprise Ireland client companies seeking new opportunities for their world-class products and services and will hold a number of political engagements with his counterparts in the Japanese government. Minister Burke will also visit the new Ireland House Tokyo, which is home to offices for the Embassy, Team Ireland, including Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and IDA. During the second half of the week, the Minister will attend the Osaka Expo 2025. The department believes that participation at Expo provides an excellent platform for direct public diplomacy and an opportunity to increase visibility of Ireland in the region.
The Journal
4 days ago
- Business
- The Journal
Flogging beef tongue and Irish whiskey: Taoiseach and ministers travel to Japan in major trade push
Christina Finn TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN is due to travel to Japan tomorrow, where he will visit Tokyo, Osaka, and Hiroshima. A total of six ministers, not including the Taoiseach, have travelled or are due to travel to Japan this year for a major charm offensive trade push amidst the threat of US tariffs. Enterprise Minister Peter Burke and Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon, Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton, Media Minister Patrick O'Donovan have already made the trip this year, with Higher Education Minister James Lawless heading there during the summer and Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien due to travel in the autumn. Japan is Ireland's second-largest trading partner in the Asia-Pacific region, with annual two-way trade totalling €21.5 billion. There is a big demand for some Irish produce, such as beef, Irish whiskey, seafood and grain products. Irish beef tongue 'very big' in Japan Irish beef tongue is 'very big' in Japan, said one official, who added that Donegal oysters and Flavins oatmeal are among highly-sought after commodities in Japan. Japan is the third biggest market for Irish whiskey and the market is growing. In 2020, 55,000 cases of Irish whiskey were sold to Japan, with 206,000 cases sold last year. Advertisement With the deadline for Europe to strike a trade deal with the US approaching, Ireland has been on the charm offensive with other nations in a bid to attempt to fill the gap of any trading holes that might emerge. Market diversification is the main show in town right now, said one official. Japan is a growing export market with over 300 Enterprise Ireland clients doing business in Japan and over 50 Irish companies having representations or presence in the country. The aim of the Ireland Japan 2025 programme is part of the government's high-level trade mission programme whereby ministers are tasked with showcasing Ireland's world-class agri-food sector. Food market, Osaka Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Japan, which has a population of 123 million people, holds lots of opportunities for Ireland, particularly when a cloud of uncertainty is on the horizon. The country gained access to Irish beef in 2013 and sheep-meat access in 2019. The Irish agri-food sector exported 34% dairy to Japan, along with 28% pig meat, 10% fish, 12% beverages and 6% animal feed. There is a big push in particular to sell Irish whiskey and gin to Japan. Expo 2025 Osaka As part of the Taoiseach's visit, Martin will attend the Ireland Pavilion at Expo 2025, which is a key part of the Ireland Japan 2025 programme. A year long series of activities at the Expo have been designed to increase Ireland's presence and visibility in Japan and this includes the opening of the new Ireland House. Related Reads 'Wait and see': Taoiseach says Trump's extension on tariff threat could stifle economic growth Trump says 50% tariffs on EU delayed until 9 July after 'very nice call' with von der Leyen Potential risk of differential tariff rates to all-island economy averted for now, Cabinet to hear Irish Pavilion at Osaka Expo 2025 Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo The overall approved budget for the programme is €16.8 million over the three years from 2023 to 2026. Tánaiste Simon Harris has said Ireland completed its pavilion on time and within budget. Designed by Office of Public Works architects, the Ireland Pavilion is inspired by the ancient Celtic motif of the triskele. The Ireland Pavilion serves as a hub for Irish organisations, Team Ireland and the diaspora, and involves an immersive visitor experience. It is expected that Expo will attract approximately 28 million visitors, with the government hoping its participation in the Expo will provide a platform for public diplomacy for Ireland. 'Ireland can still remain relatively unknown among the wider Japanese public. The Ireland pavilion has been operating at maximum capacity on a daily basis. We reckon that in excess of six million visitors have attended Expo already,' Tánaiste Simon Harris has said. As part of the Taoiseach's trip next week, he will also visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum at Hiroshima to mark the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima City and Nagasaki City by the United States in 1945. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Can you hear me now? Ireland hosts European agency summit on space connectivity
With the global space economy projected to exceed €1.8 trillion by 2035, there are vast opportunities for businesses in telecoms, tech, advanced materials and more. More than 250 delegates from the optical and quantum communications sectors – around 20pc of them from Ireland – gathered in Dublin at the European Space Agency's 8th ScyLight Conference. They came from industry, academia, space agencies, governments and other stakeholders across Europe, Canada, Japan, the US and Australia to discuss how to build secure, high-capacity, space-based connectivity. Just as fibre optics are replacing copper cables on Earth, space communications are transitioning from traditional radio waves to high-capacity laser-based systems – an area where Ireland is building real strength. The conference offered Irish companies such as mBryonics, Pilot Photonics – recent winner of the Innovation Challenge Prize at the 2025 Paris Space Week – and Eblana Photonics, an international platform to raise their profile and build new partnerships. Likewise, research-performing organisations such as the Walton Institute (Southeast Technological University), the Tyndall Institute (UCC) and DCU also got to share their work, with speakers from each addressing the conference. One of the organisers was Deirdre Kilbane, who leads IrelandQCI, the Irish arm of EuroQCI, the EU-wide quantum communications infrastructure programme. Quantum technology is used to increase communications security. Attendees were welcomed by Declan Hughes, the Secretary-General of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and Marina Donohoe, Head of Research, Innovation and Infrastructure at Enterprise Ireland. IDA clients also attended Scylight, including Viasat, a satellite network operator with offices in Ireland, and Altera, which spun out of Intel earlier this year. While Ireland might not always be perceived as a space pioneer, 2025 marks 50 years since Ireland became a founding member of the European Space Agency. Most of the companies engaging with ESA are spinouts from third-level funded research Numerous Irish businesses are making a significant contribution to the global space industry across areas such as satellite communications, navigation systems and Earth Observation. Recent growth in the sector in Ireland can be credited at least in part to the 2019 National Space Strategy for Enterprise. Since its launch, the number of Irish companies engaging with ESA has grown to 116 from 25 in 2014. ADVERTISEMENT Many of these companies, including all three mentioned above, are spinouts from third-level funded research. Most if not all have also benefited from Enterprise Ireland and Research Ireland (formerly Science Foundation Ireland) funding and support. Through the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, for example, we have helped to launch and scale several space-focused projects, including FreeForm Optix, The National Space Subsystems and Payloads Initiative, and CAMEO, which is advancing Ireland's capabilities in Earth Observation. Ireland's growing space ecosystem also supports broader policy goals – from enhancing digital sovereignty to enabling secure communications and contributing to Europe's technological leadership. To learn more about Ireland's space industry or to discuss opportunities to pivot into this market, please get in touch with the Irish Delegation to ESA.
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Minister hopeful of last-gasp deal with US to avoid Trump's 50pc tariffs
EU negotiators are in a race against the clock to secure an agreement with the US, which is threatening to impose 50pc tariffs. Next month's deadline looms large over Irish exporters, with the country set to be disproportionately hit should a trade war with Europe's largest trading partner ensue. Mr Burke says he understands the challenges Irish businesses face should no deal be agreed upon, but hopes the talks will bear fruit. Speaking during an Irish trade mission to Japan, he said that Maros Sefcovic, the EU's chief negotiator with the US, was trying to 'frame a landing zone' deal with Washington before time runs out. 'I do believe there are parameters for a deal,' he said. 'I was there for over a week in the US, where I met a lot of business leaders as well as some politicians. Ireland is very invested in its relationship with the US.' Mr Burke noted that Tánaiste Simon Harris had recently held a 'productive' phone call with US trade representative Jamieson Greer. He believed there was a willingness to work together and 'get a deal'. 'The critical thing is we need to ensure that the EU and US economy, which is the most integrated trading relationship on the globe, is protected,' he said. However, the minister believes some sectors will face tariffs, even if a 'landing zone' deal is agreed. The trade deal between the UK and US, which still includes a 10pc levy on most British goods, brought with it concerns. 'Critically, it sets the framework for other negotiations,' he said. 'But what we have done and the feedback we have is that we are trying to ensure in the first instance that we get as close to zero in as many sectors as possible.' Mr Burke said resolving non-tariff barriers to trade, a key frustration for the Trump administration, would also help. Peter Burke said Irish businesses were looking to diversify into new markets Washington has openly criticised many of these perceived barriers, including Ireland's move to introduce new health warning labels on alcohol products. Mr Burke recently asked Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to consider pausing the introduction amid ongoing trade challenges. ADVERTISEMENT 'If we can make progress in that area [non-tariff barriers], I think we have a chance of getting agreement in other areas,' he said. Mr Burke said Irish businesses were looking to diversify into new markets, including Japan. Alongside Enterprise Ireland, he spent part of last week promoting Ireland's strengths in healthcare, financial services and sustainability to potential Japanese clients. Despite transatlantic trade tensions, Mr Burke said new investment was still pouring into Ireland. The IDA will be publishing a strong set of half-year results in the coming weeks, he said, which would be 'surprising for some'. Despite Mr Burke's optimism, there is increasing anxiety among European leaders about securing a positive trade deal in time. Recent reports suggest that European officials and diplomats are now resigned to the idea that the Trump administration doesn't intend to remove its 10pc baseline tariffs on EU goods. Speaking in Brussels, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said there would be no winners if the tariff dispute were to continue. 'Every effort has to be made to get a landing zone that we can live with. It's not ideal. Europe doesn't want tariffs, but we have to deal with the situation that is before us,' he said. EU leaders met in Brussels last week to discuss the US trade deal and debate how much they were willing to sacrifice to win over the US president. The Wall Street Journal reported that the EU was considering lowering tariffs on a range of US imports in a bid to clinch a 'speedy trade deal'. It stated that Germany and Italy were leading a group of countries pushing for a quick preliminary agreement that could be updated later in more detailed follow-up negotiations. The report added that EU leaders were considering additional concessions, including lowering non-tariff barriers, buying more American products and offering to cooperate with the US on its economic concerns regarding China. Europe's approach to the talks in Washington has also come in for sharp criticism. Last week, German chancellor Friedrich Merz scolded the EU's negotiation process, describing it as 'far too complicated'. Mr Merz said the bloc should focus on exemptions from the base tariffs for selected products such as cars, chemicals, machinery, steel and — crucially for Ireland — pharmaceuticals. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the US had shared a new document for further negotiations, which was now being assessed. 'We are ready for a deal,' she said. Carol Lynch, partner at BDO Ireland and head of its customs and trade team, said companies should prepare for the July 9 deadline and not assume it will be delayed. Ms Lynch added there was a feeling among Irish exporters that the current 10pc tariff was here to stay, with companies planning accordingly.
