The Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD, has officially launched Ireland’s participation in Expo 2025, set to be held in Osaka, Japan from April 13 to October 13. This major event is expected to draw 28 million visitors and feature over 160 countries.
Japan, Ireland’s second-largest trading partner in Asia, boasts a €23 billion trading relationship. Ireland’s involvement in Expo 2025 is part of the Global Ireland strategy, aiming to enhance Ireland’s global visibility and impact. This effort will be bolstered by the 2025 opening of a new flagship ‘Ireland House’ in Tokyo, which will house the Irish Embassy and State Agencies.
Under the theme “Creativity Connects People,” Ireland’s pavilion will showcase contributions from universities, cultural institutions, government departments, and state agencies. Highlights include presentations from the 2025 BT Young Scientist winners, a special Gradham Ceoil concert with TG4, and a Halloween festival promoting Ireland as the ‘Home of Halloween.’
At the launch, Tánaiste Micheál Martin emphasized the significance of this step: “The opening of Ireland House Tokyo and our participation in Expo 2025 represent the most significant advancement in our bilateral relationship with Japan since our Embassy in Tokyo opened in 1973. Our presence at Expo will help Ireland forge new connections in Osaka and the Kansai region, as well as globally.”
Minister of State for the Office of Public Works, Kieran O’Donnell, highlighted the Pavilion’s design: “Based on the ancient triskele motif, our Pavilion also embraces sustainability with materials that can be reused post-Expo.”
For more details, visit www.ireland.ie/expo.