The Tánaiste Ms Harney today opened Enterprise Ireland's new incubator unit in Tokyo which will accommodate Irish companies seeking to set up business in Japan.
Three Irish companies Network 365, Xiam and Kerry Ingredients will join the unit immediately with a further 12 companies joining by the end of the year.
Speaking at this morning's opening ceremony Ms Harney said the incubator would provide the office space and technical support for Irish companies in Tokyo's expensive Tokyo property market.
The new facility will bring the number of Irish companies supported by Enterprise Ireland to 24 compared to eight in 1997.