Irish firms ‘must forge bonds with Japanese’

IRISH companies will have to work hard to strengthen bonds with their Japanese counterparts if they hope to achieve growth in the years ahead, according to Minister for Trade and Commerce John McGuinness.

Time and money would have to be spent on the Japanese market if they were serious about building up their bases in what is the world’s second-largest economy, Mr McGuinness said.

While Ireland’s Asia strategy prioritised China, the minister said, the €45 million in new orders written this week and the 250 jobs created showed what could be done with time and effort. He pledged continuing support to Irish firms dedicated to cracking this tough market in the years ahead.