Bilateral Relations

2014/10/21

High-Level Visits between Japan and Ireland 2003

September

From 24th to 27th September, Mr. Dermot Ahern T.D., Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, visited Japan where he met with government ministers involved in the telecommunications sector, including Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications.As part of the telecommunic-ations trade promotion for Ireland, Mr. Ahern also held a series of meetings with executives of Tokyo Power, Sony Computer Entertainment, NEC and the Sagami Railway Company.

June

H.I.H. Princess Takamado visited Ireland from 26th to 30th June on the occasion of the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games held at various sporting venues around Ireland from 21st to 29th June.During her visit, H.I.H. Princess Takamado attended a number of events including volleyball, athletics and swimming, and supported the Japanese team.H.I.H. Princess Takamado met President Mary McAleese at Aras an Uachtarain on 27th June.On 29th June, H.I.H. Princess Takamado attended a reception at Croke Park hosted by the Games Organising Committee of the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games (Nagano), and the closing ceremony of the 2003 Special Olympics Summer Games.

May

Mr. Noel Treacy T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, led an Enterprise Ireland trade mission to Japan from 12th to 18th May.He was accompanied by personnel from Irish functional food companies and research institutions.The purpose of the mission was to develop closer links between the growing Irish functional foods sector and that of Japan, and during the visit meetings with leading Japanese and functional food companies and government bodies took place.

March

Mr. Liam Aylward T.D., Minister of State for Agriculture, represented Ireland at the Third World Water Forum international conference held in Japan from 16th to 23rd March.The week-long event was split between Kyoto, Osaka and Shiga, and was attended by over 10,000 officials, politicians (including several heads of state), scientists and environmental campaigners from 165 countries who gathered to debate the world water crisis and its solutions.During his visit, Mr. Aylward also attended the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Tokyo.