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The Taoiseach will visit Japan from 1-5 December in response to an invitation extended by Prime Minister Abe during the Prime Minister’s successful visit to Ireland in June this year.

The key objectives of the visit will be to further increase Ireland’s trade, economic, and political relationship with Japan and to explore potential areas for future collaboration between Ireland and Japan.

Reflecting the very significant potential for co-operation and trade in the agri-food sector, Ireland’s Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney will accompany the Taoiseach on this visit.

During his visit, Mr. Kenny will meet with Prime Minister Abe with a view to agreeing areas for future co-operation. He will also meet with Japanese and Irish companies who are active in Research & Development and the services sector at an event designed to increase collaborative research projects for the mutual benefit of both countries.

The Taoiseach will also speak at a symposium on Green Energy, co-organised with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) which will highlight opportunities and latest technologies being developed by Irish companies with core strengths in this very important priority sector for both countries.

He will also give a keynote address on current and future developments in Ireland-Japan relations in a globalised world at the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA).

A large number of company representatives will travel to Japan in conjunction with this visit, including groups from the ICT, Financial Services and Agri-food sectors.

Mr. Kenny will spend two days in Tokyo and then travel to Nagoya and Osaka to meet with Irish and Japanese business leaders to promote trade, investment and business-to-business links.

He will also meet with the Governor of Osaka Prefecture, Mr. Ichiro Matsui.

Speaking about the visit, the Taoiseach said: “I am delighted to have this opportunity to visit Japan as part of our ongoing strategy to strengthen Ireland’s international reputation and convey to a wider audience the extent of Ireland’s progress toward economic recovery. Ireland and Japan have a long and well-established political and economic relationship and this visit provides us with an opportunity to develop our economic, political and cultural links further for the mutual benefit of both our countries”

This is the first visit to Japan by Mr. Kenny and the first visit by an Irish Taoiseach since 2009.