Irish companies Aerogen, GridBeyond, Kitman Labs and Otonomee have announced business expansions in Japan as part of a new Enterprise Ireland (EI) and IDA Ireland trade and investment mission.
The two agencies, along with 23 of EI’s client companies, are taking part in a five-day-long trade mission to Japan led by the Minister of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke, TD. Participating companies also include Fexco, Equal1, Fenergo and Druid Software.
While Otonomee, a customer support outsourcer for US and European health-tech, SaaS and e-commerce brands, has announced plans to hire fully-remote customer experience and tech professionals based out of Japan to meet its growing global demand.
Fostering new growth
Annual trade between Ireland and Japan reaches approximately €23bn, with Japan being the largest investor in Ireland from the Asia-Pacific region.
According to Enterprise Ireland, its client companies exported a total of €323m worth of goods and services to Japan in 2023. Currently, 300 EI-supported companies employ more than 1,700 people in the country.
Meanwhile, Japanese investments in Ireland employ more than 8,000 people in the country across tech, pharmaceuticals, medtech and fintech.
Over the course of the trade mission, Minister Burke is set to meet with key Japanese business associations, Irish companies exporting to the region and Japanese companies investing in Ireland.
“I am delighted to lead this important trade and investment mission on behalf of the Irish Government, as we continue to support the Irish enterprise base to diversify and explore new global opportunities and markets,” Minister Burke said, speaking from Ireland House in Tokyo.
“The trade mission builds on the EU-Japan Trade agreement which facilitates easier access for EU and Irish exporters doing business in Japan and integrates EU and Japanese firms into efficient supply chains, especially in technology and manufacturing.”
Enterprise Ireland CEO designate and executive director Jenny Melia said that Japan is a “strategically important market” for Irish exporters.
While on the other hand, she pointed out the high levels of Japanese investments in Irish companies, including Softbank’s investment in Cubic3 and Tines, as well as Yokogawa Electric’s investment in GridBeyond.
“Through our network of 42 international offices, including a team on the ground here in Tokyo, Enterprise Ireland is committed to working with Irish-owned companies and supporting them to scale even further internationally,” she added.
IDA Ireland CEO Michael Lohan added: “This week is about deepening our existing relationships at the highest levels and engaging with new target companies. As Japanese companies increasingly globalise, Ireland is ideally placed as a location to help them grow.”
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