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Bram Stoker's Count Dracula Alamy

Ireland to be presented as the 'home of Halloween' at Japan Expo showcase

Japan is Ireland’s second-largest trading partner in Asia.

THE IRISH GOVERNMENT has today launched Ireland’s participation in ‘Expo Osaka 2025′, with Tánaiste Micheál Martin describing it as a “step up” in relations between Ireland and Japan. 

The Expo will take place in Osaka, Kansai, Japan next year from 13 April to 13 October and is expected to attract 28 million visitors with over 160 countries participating. 

Japan is currently Ireland’s second largest trading partner in Asia with a €23bn trading relationship. The Department of Foreign Affairs has said participation in next year’s Expo forms part of Ireland’s strategy to build Ireland’s “impact and visibility in the world”.

Ireland’s participation in the Expo will coincide with the opening of a new flagship ‘Ireland House’ in Tokyo, which will become the new home of Ireland’s embassy in the country. Ireland has had an embassy in Tokyo since 1973.

Ireland’s participation in the Expo will involve showcasing the winners of the 2025 BT Young Scientist competition, a special TG4 Gradham Ceoil concert and a Halloween festival promoting Ireland as the ‘Home of Halloween’.

Halloween is a major festival in Japan, but according to the Department of Foreign Affairs its Irish origins and “Bram Stoker connection” remain largely unknown. 

Bram Stoker – the author of Dracula -  will be central to Ireland’s Halloween programme in the Expo, which will be created in partnership with Dublin City Council, the Bram Stoker Festival, Macnas and Fáilte Ireland.

It will also involve contributions from Ireland’s Universities, Cultural Institutions, Government Departments and State Agencies.

At the launch in Iveagh House in Dublin today, the Tánaiste was joined by Japan’s ambassador to Ireland, HE Ambassador Maruyama. 

“The opening of Ireland House Tokyo next year and participation in Expo represents the most significant step-up in this important bilateral relationship since the opening of our Embassy in Tokyo in 1973,” the Tánaiste said today.

“Our participation in Expo will help Ireland build new relationships in Osaka and the dynamic Kansai region and beyond,” he added. 

“Together with our Embassy, Ireland’s trade and investment promotion agencies – IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and Tourism Ireland – we will leverage the opportunities presented by Expo 2025 and Ireland House Tokyo to promote Ireland as a great country to visit, in which to invest and study, and with which to trade.”

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    Mute tommy power
    Favourite tommy power
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    Jul 26th 2024, 10:09 AM

    There is no point to a PQ. Deputy Catherine Murphy (Scoial Democrats) asked a question on my behalf of the Minister for Social Protection. The answer was false and a total fabrication. I need the information for an upcoming WRC case and I now cannot access the information. The Minister misled the Dail and there is nothing anyone can or will do about it.
    I reported it to the Protected Disclosure Commisssioner, who handed the investigation to the Department of Social Protection, which provided the false answer in the first place.
    The Department officials are being asked to investigate themselves, to see if they provided false information in a PQ reply, like they are going to find against themselves…..

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    Mute Maria Doyle
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    Jul 26th 2024, 10:38 AM

    Surprise surprise the majority of Murphy’s questions were about gender recognition. I’m sure his constitents are delighted this is how he spends his time in the Dáil.The man is a fool,

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    Mute Shane O Neill
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    Jul 26th 2024, 10:49 AM

    @Maria Doyle: 47 questions out of 708 is not a majority.

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    Mute Colette Byrne
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    Jul 26th 2024, 11:10 AM

    @Maria Doyle: you obviously don’t watch leaders questions.

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    Mute Brian D'Arcy
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    Jul 26th 2024, 2:00 PM

    @Maria Doyle: The man who won a case against SIPO for it’s investigation, or lack thereof, into Varadkar and Varadkar steps down as Taoiseach not long after, pretty effective if you ask me, more than one way to skin a cat as the saying goes. A thorn in the side of the establishment.

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    Mute Colette Byrne
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    Jul 26th 2024, 11:13 AM

    Not surprised durkin. High up list, only see him election time.
    He has I think 3 generations of family to put through the dail.
    Useless and arrogant with it.
    Plays to the old dears.

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    Mute Padraig O'Brien
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    Jul 26th 2024, 12:29 PM

    I’d never ask a question there. All you’d get in reply would be blather, hot air and lies!

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    Mute Spanner
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    Jul 27th 2024, 1:42 AM

    Its nit picking but we don’t have a prime minister so no prime minister Questianss. We have a taoiseach so it should be Taoiseachs Questions.

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