Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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42. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he plans to open a new consulate general office in Osaka, Japan. [3193/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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‘Global Ireland – Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025 sets out the Government’s ambitions for expanding and deepening our international presence, influence and impact. It includes the expansion of Ireland’s Mission network which will deepen our impact across priority regions, provide opportunities to grow our trade and inward investment, strengthen political relationships with our partners, promote our values, and support Irish citizens and our diaspora abroad.  

The recently-launched "Global Ireland: Delivering in the Asia Pacific Region to 2025" places this strategy in a regional context  and contains measures to significantly enhance Ireland's impact in Japan, including through the development of a new Ireland House in Tokyo. 

Ireland enjoys excellent relations with Japan, fostered by our diplomats and State Agencies working together in Tokyo. While the possibility of new Missions is considered on an ongoing basis, Japan is not one of the countries currently earmarked for further expansion of our Mission network.