Taoiseach Brian Cowen has stressed the importance of exports in Ireland's current economic situation.
Speaking on the first day of a trade mission to Japan, Mr Cowen also denied there was any tension between himself and Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan about the urgency of tackling Ireland's problems.
Japan, a country of nearly 130m people, is a huge potential market as well as representing a gateway to Asia generally.
However, it is also experiencing economic problems with a sudden vicious recession, an ageing workforce, and a soaring exchange rate.
The trade mission is looking to the longer term, and sending out a message that despite the recession Ireland has not become inward looking.
Japan also had to deal with undercapitalised, over-borrowed banks and one of the country's leading economic experts told his Irish audience how those responsible had paid a price.
On Ireland's economic problems, the Taoiseach insisted there was no tension between himself and Mr Lenihan about the urgency of the situation.
He said the Government was in discussion with the social partners but in the final analysis ministers would be the ones making the decisions.
The mission continues until the end of the week.
