Case study: Ireland House in Tokyo
Diplomatic relations between Ireland and Japan were established in 1957.
Embassies were opened in Dublin and Tokyo in 1964 and 1974 respectively.
Who are 'Team Ireland'?
The current Ireland House, also known as 'Team Ireland' consists of team members from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Bord Bia, and the Japan Ireland Chamber of Commerce.
Together, the department and state agencies work to:
- Promote Ireland's trade and investment objectives
- Promote Irish culture, heritage and tradition
- Maintain and enhance our links with Irish communities in Japan.
New Ireland House
In 2017 the Government decided to develop a new Ireland House in Japan.
The new Ireland House will be a showcase, state-of-the-art platform from which Team Ireland in Japan will be able to project and promote what Ireland has to offer.
It will accommodate the Embassy, the official residence, offices for a growing number of state agencies.
The building will house an acoustically designed performance space which will double as an exhibition area, a business/conference facility, as well as an interactive library and cultural resource.
This major meeting place will be an asset for the Irish community in Japan and for our business, research, education, tourism and cultural sectors in this country.
The new Ireland House, Tokyo will contribute substantially to raising Ireland’s profile more broadly in Japan.
It will also showcase our cultural heritage, creativity and innovation through excellence in design. Due to be fully operational in advance of Ireland’s EXPO 2025 Osaka Programme it will, in effect, serve as a Tokyo venue for elements in this programme.