Taoiseach begins Japanese trade mission

The Taoiseach is travelling to Japan for a week-long trade mission.

Brian Cowen will meet the Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso and pay a courtesy call on Emperor Akihito during the visit.

The Taoiseach is accompanied by Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith and junior minister for trade John McGuinness.

As well as strengthening business links between the two countries, the mission will also seek the reopening of the Japanese market - closed since the dioxin scare - to our pork products.

During the six-day visit, Mr Cowen and representatives of 70 Irish companies and organisations will visit Tokyo and Osaka.

The trade mission is the largest yet - businesses on both sides of the border are represented - but officials do not expect any dramatic announcements or orders this week.

Instead the message will be one of reassurance that Ireland values the Japanese market and is committed to it for the long term.

Mr Cowen will also meet Prime Minister Aso for talks, and in a country where protocol is all important, an invitation to pay a courtesy call on Emperor Akihito is seen as a significant honour.