The year 2005, designated as the EU-Japan Year of People-to-People Exchanges, saw a visit to Japan by President Mary McAleese of Ireland and a visit to Ireland by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress. These high-level exchanges contributed significantly to the strengthening of friendly relations between the two countries, constituting a new chapter in the long history of exchange between Japan and Ireland. During her stay in Japan, President McAleese was present at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade at Omotesando in Tokyo, which was organized by Japanese people with links to Ireland; and during Their Majesties’ visit to Ireland the Emperor and Empress had an opportunity in Dublin to meet people engaged in strengthening the friendly relations which exist between Japan and Ireland.

In recent years, against the backdrop of Ireland’s continuing economic growth, there has been a notable influx of people from the new Member States of the EU, particularly from Eastern Europe. They bring with them their cultures, thereby making the cultural environment of Ireland more international. Against this background, the city of Cork planned and carried out a great number of cultural events related to its role as the 2005 European Capital of Culture. In addition, various events were held in Ireland’s principal cities within the framework of the EU-Japan Year of People-to-People Exchanges, including a "Japan Seen in its Posters" exhibition, a performance by the Tokyo Engeki Ensemble, performances by the Okinawa Song & Dance Theatre "Chura," performances by the Royal Chamber Orchestra, a Masumura Yasuzo Film Season, a hockey scrimmage match between Keio University and Trinity College Dublin as part of the commemorative events for the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the hockey club of Keio University, and a Japanese speech contest, within the framework of the EU-Japan Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

These events included occasions such as the workshop for local citizens and performances held by the Okinawa Song and Dance Theatre "Chura" in Galway, which succeeded in transforming the image of Japan as a "faceless Far Eastern technological powerhouse" generally held by people in Ireland’s regional areas to one of "a nation of people who value their culture and who we can identify with" by presenting the regional culture of Japan previously almost entirely unknown in Ireland. With this momentum created by the EU-Japan Year of People-to-People Exchanges, it is expected that the exchanges between Ireland, an important part of the fabric of the EU, and Japan will continue to flourish for many years to come.