Tánaiste and Minister Heydon welcome the celebration of the Ireland National Day (14 June) at Expo 2025 in Japan

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harrisand Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, have today welcomed the celebration of the Ireland National Day at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

Today, Ireland proudly celebrates its assigned National Day marking a significant milestone in its participation in this global event. Over the course of the day, Ireland will take centre stage with a programme of activities highlighting Ireland’s rich cultural heritage and commitment to fostering further international collaboration reflecting our theme ‘Creativity Connects People’. Minister Heydon will attend the National Day as part of the ongoing high-level trade mission to the region.

Since the opening of Expo 2025 Osaka in April, Ireland has joined 160 participating countries in welcoming over 6 million visitors to date. Ireland’s Pavilion, designed by the OPW, has staged daily sold-out performances of Irish music, exhibited Irish artists and hosted high-level political and trade delegations. This has provided a unique opportunity to promote Ireland to a global audience, in a region where Ireland has significant trade and investment priorities and ambitions.

The Tánaiste said:

“Today, as we celebrate the Ireland National Day in Osaka, we have a particular opportunity to showcase Irish innovation, culture, and creativity on the international stage. Japan is Ireland’s second-largest trading partner in the Asia-Pacific region, with annual two-way trade totalling €21.5 billion.”

“This day encapsulates the great potential for growth in this important bilateral relationship, and as part of our trade diversification strategy, we shall continue to emphasise these opportunities through the Ireland Japan 2025 programme”

Speaking in Osaka, Minister Heydon remarked:

“Our National Day at Expo 2025 Osaka provides us with a great opportunity to strengthen Ireland’s international reputation and reach, and each aspect of the programme highlights the best of Ireland”

“The aims and objectives of the Ireland Japan 2025 programme align with this ongoing high-level Trade Mission to the region as we showcase how our world-class agri-food sector is delivering high-quality, sustainably produced food and drink to the world, and expanding opportunities for Irish exporters in the region”

The Ireland Pavilion at Expo 2025 is a key part of the Ireland Japan 2025 programme, a yearlong series of activities designed to increase Ireland’s presence and visibility, including through the opening later this year of a new Ireland House, and to strengthen our existing political, economic and people-to-people links.

Inspired by global celebrations of St Patrick’s Day, Ireland’s National Day programme will bring a full day of Irish festivities to Expo 2025, including an official ceremony and cultural performances by Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann in Japan and ‘Expo Players’ a group of accomplished Irish traditional musicians.

More information on Ireland Japan 2025 is available at Ireland.ie/IrelandJapan2025

Notes to Editors:

Japan is one of Ireland’s largest trading partners in Asia with annual two-way trade valued at over €21.5 billion. It is the largest source of Foreign Direct Investment into Ireland from the Asia-Pacific region.

The objective of the Global Ireland Strategy- a multi-annual, whole-of-government initiative - is to double the scope and impact of Ireland’s global engagement by 2025. The strategy places emphasis on building awareness of Ireland abroad.

Participation in Expo provides a unique platform to engage directly with the Japanese public and with visitors from across the region.

In July 2022, the Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD signed a Joint Statement with then Prime Minister Kishida of Japan committing to take relations and exchanges between Ireland and Japan to a new level. The opening of an Ireland House in Japan, and participation in Expo, are concrete examples of delivering on those commitments.

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, the diaspora and affinity diaspora, and as a place where connections with Ireland are fostered. An immersive visitor experience provides all visitors with a better understanding of Ireland’s culture, its people, and its ties with Japan.

ENDS

Press Office

14 June 2025