THE fifth Japan EU summit will be held in Tokyo today with the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, attending as the President of the European Council. A 1991 joint declaration stipulated that a summit be held each year.
Apart from Japan's important economic relationship with the EU, a number of other issues will be discussed at the summit this afternoon. The Taoiseach has said that one of his main objectives is to strengthen political ties between Japan and the EU.
Pointing out that peace has been achieved through close political, economic and cultural relations in the EU, he said that, with closer political ties, Japan and the EU could become influential partners for peace in the world.
This morning, the Taoiseach will meet the Japanese Prime Minister, Mr Ryutaro Hashimoto. Afterwards, he will pay a courtesy visit to Emperor Akihito. The emperor visited Ireland as crown prince in 1985.
On Saturday, Mr Bruton visited Ireland House in central Tokyo, which was inaugurated by President Robinson during her State visit in February 1995. Ireland House is shared by the Irish Embassy, the IDA, Forbairt, Bord Failte and Aer Lingus.
Later, he attended an IDA reception where he met Japanese industrialists whose companies are part of the Japanese investment in Ireland, currently employing more than 4,000 people in a wide range of industries. He met the chief executive officer of NEC, whose Ballivor, Co Meath, plant is located in his own constituency.
Japanese investment in Ireland represents about 8 per cent of total Japanese investment in Europe.
During the IDA reception, Mr Bruton praised Japanese companies in Ireland for their very positive employment records, and expressed hopes for continuing Japan Ireland industrial co operation.
Yesterday morning, the Taoiseach had a short meeting with the US ambassador, Mr Walter Mondale, to discuss a number of trade and political matters.
Following this, the Irish Ambassador, Mr Declan O'Donovan, welcomed Mr Bruton to a reception attended by members of the Irish community and their friends in Japan. There are more than 900 Irish people registered as residents in Japan, ranging from missionary order priests and nuns to FAS programme participants and English teachers.
Mr Bruton told his audience that the Irish economy was growing rapidly and "Ireland is a great place to be" in. He encouraged those present to consider returning to Ireland to make use of their experiences and talents. At the very least, he joked, they should visit home as often as possible to spend some of their hard earned yen - a remark greeted by laughter and applause from the gathering.
Later, Mr Bruton was a guest of the Japan Racing Association (JRA) at Nakayama racecourse, where he presented a trophy.
Exports of Irish bred thoroughbreds to Japan for racing and breeding purposes are increasing annually. There is a number of Irish run stud farms in Japan, and until earlier this year the former jockey, Mr Michael Kennedy, was employed by the JRA to help train young Japanese jockeys. The JRA controls all aspects of horse racing in Japan and has an annual turnover greater than Japan's leading car manufacturer.
The Taoiseach will fly out from Japan this evening after the post summit press conference to prepare for the forthcoming visit of the German Chancellor, Dr Helmut Kohl to Ireland.