Ireland's economic investment in Japan is growing at an unprecedented rate, which explains why this year, Ireland is taking center stage at the Osaka Expo 2025 with a stunning new Irish pavilion that will introduce many of the estimated 113,000 visitors a day to our nation and culture.
It's a shiny global shop window in one of the world's great economies and a reminder of just how strong Ireland's export market has become, but these days our culture now competes eye to eye with our other more traditional exports like meat, dairy, and spirits.
Irish writers, artists, filmmakers, musicians, sports stars, and actors enjoy a growing respect and standing in one of the nations that Ireland is furthest from.
Emphasizing our culture at the Osaka Expo 2025 in Japan's second city, visitors to the Irish pavilion can expect to experience Irish music and dancing in a purpose built circular hall that's surrounded by a giant screen.
An exhibition about Lafcadio Hearn, the celebrated Irish-born writer who famously helped to preserve the folklore and ghost stories of Japan in the late 19th and early 20th centuries (in much the same way that his contemporary and correspondent W.B. Yeats did in Ireland) will also be held onsite for a limited period.
But eye catching Irish representation doesn't just stop there. Another groundbreaking new Irish project in Japan is the opening of Ireland House, the stunning new 3,000 square foot flagship Irish government facility in central Tokyo which opens this month.
Designed by Henry J Lyons architects, the stunning new building, which represents the largest government spend to date, will be home to the Irish Embassy, as well as the Irish ambassador’s official residence, and will include a library as well as an exhibition and performance area for visiting artists.
Ireland House in Tokyo was designed by Henry J Lyons architects.
Expanding markets for goods, services, and Irish culture is a story that is being carefully told in Japan and the exchange is inspiring our politicians, business leaders and artists. But the charm offensive is not all one way.
Since the early 1990s, the chief organizer of Japan's increasingly prominent St. Patrick's Day parades (the nation now hosts over 17 of them annually across Japan) is a Japanese native – and an Irish Presidential Distinguished Service Award winner – named Hideki Mimura.
Mimura's interest in Ireland was first sparked by his visit to the Irish pavilion at Expo '90, 35 years ago, when he noticed striking affinities between the two island nations through their mutual love of nature, tradition and culture.
Going deeper, both have suffered near-extinction events and moved beyond them. He is moved by our music and our resilience, and that exchange is mutual. That's why his ambition in more recent years has been to set up St. Patrick’s Day parades across all 47 Japanese prefectures, from Hokkaido to Okinawa.
St. Patrick's Day in Tokyo is a surprisingly major public event
The Irish know all about the value of parades as a cultural showcase of course, with the Fifth Avenue one in New York City one of the most storied in this nation.
In fact, the Fifth Avenue parade has been a model for the much more recent Japan Parade (which will take place this Saturday, May 10 at 1:00 PM along Central Park West from 81 to 68 Street) according to the Mikio Mori, Ambassador and Consul General of Japan in New York.
Irish visitors to Japan are often surprised and delighted to see so many St. Patrick's Day parades across Japan, I tell him. We have learned that they are a way to present much of what's best about our culture to other nations. This Saturday will be the fourth annual Japan Parade in New York City.
I asked him, what is your experience with parades here in New York?
“To start with, we are very proud and pleased to see how much interest American people are showing in Japanese culture,” Mori tells IrishCentral.
“Thus we are able to present our culture with pride and joy.”
Do you think the parade will be permitted to march on Fifth Avenue soon, like the St. Patrick's Day one?
“We were asked that question in last year's press conference. We have an aspiration to.
"The St. Patrick's Day parade is (centuries) old. As we negotiate with the city now, they say we need to add up some more experiences.
"Maybe by our 21st or 50th anniversary we should be able to move to Fifth Avenue.”
He concludes with a wry smile, “Until then, we need to practice maybe.”
Japan and Ireland are closer than you might think
Former Grand Marshall of the Japan Parade in New York City and Olympic Gold Medalist (who is married to an Irish American Olympican Bret Hedican) recalls with pride her participation in last years Japan Parade in the city.
“It was a proud moment to be the Grand Marshall for the Japan Day Parade,” she tells IrishCentral.
“It was exciting to see the Japanese and Japanese American communities come together and celebrate friendship and alliances. Lots of people came out and supported the festivities so I hope it will continue to grow and showcase the beautiful Japanese culture.”
Showcasing the best of our respective cultures is a talent that both Ireland and Japan share. No wonder we are taking more and more steps to learn from and work with each other.
A Japan Street Fair will also be held concurrently on Saturday, May 10, at West 72 Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue.
Visitors can enjoy educational activities like calligraphy, origami, and photo activities. There will also be a Street Fair featuring 20 tents serving authentic Japanese food.
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