Taoiseach Micheal Martin has invited Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to Ireland as the two world leaders met for the first time in Tokyo.
On the second day of his State visit to Japan, Mr Martin signed a joint statement with the Japanese committing to strong economic ties and combating the international threat of nuclear weapons.
He also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated this month.
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He said: "He was a truly significant and respected figure on the global stage and his killing was an assault on democracy. It reveals the fragility and vulnerability of political life.
"We note that it happened during an election campaign.
“But the fact you held the election anyway shows in many ways the resilience of your democracy."
During a meeting in Kantei Palace, the Prime Minister’s residence, the Taoiseach said “everyone has fond memories” of Mr Kishida’s previous visit to Ireland as Japanese Foreign Minister in 2017.
He said: “I would like to take this opportunity to invite you back to Ireland as Prime Minister of Japan when your schedule permits.”
Mr Kishida said he “clearly remembers” his State visit to Ireland and thanked the Taoiseach for his condolence on the tragic murder of former Prime Minsiter Shinzo Abe who was shot during a recent Japanese election campaign.
The Taoiseach and Prime Minister both condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine with Mr Martin calling it an “affront to the international rules-based order”.
Mr Martin signed a declaration with the Japanese Prime Minister condemning North Korea’s use of ballistic missiles.
A joint statement issued by the two leaders after their meeting in Tokyo urged Kim Jong Un to abandon all nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction testing in a “complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.”
They urged the North Korean regime to “comply fully” with its obligations under United Council Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs).
They also strongly urged North Korea to end all human rights violations and to “resolve the abductions issue immediately” which relates to the kidnapping of Japanese citizens.
There was also a pledge between the two world leaders to strengthen ties between the two countries on a number areas of shared interest with business, sport and culture.
They specifically committed to enhancing relations between the two nations on horse racing.
Early on Wednesday, the Taoiseach also visited the site of the soon to be constructed Ireland House development which will house officials from Enterprise Ireland and the International Development Agency (IDA) along with local Irish embassy staff who will focus on enhancing economic ties with Japan.
The entire cost of the project is set to cost an estimated €21.4m million and the building is due to be completed in 2024.
Mr Martin is due to fly to Singapore on Thursday morning where he will meet Lee Hsien Loong.
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