The Taoiseach has begun his four day visit to Japan, saying Ireland's trade with the country has increased by €5 billion in the past three years and it is very important to engage with like-minded countries at a time of economic uncertainty.
Speaking in Tokyo, Micheál Martin said "hopefully" the EU will be able to strike a deal with the United States on trade, but added that it is a "changed environment" in which the focus is on "how can we limit the damage."
The Taoiseach said the EU intended to strike what he termed a "network of agreements", particularly in Asia - something he described as a "sensible policy diversification."
He added: "That's what we're going in Japan - building on an already healthy arrangement."
Asked if he backed a proposal floated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, of some form of trade structure outside of the World Trade Organisation, the Taoiseach said: "Obviously the WTO is there, but it has had challenges - let's be honest."
He added: "Within trade matters, were are in, to a certain extent unchartered territories. And I think what the EU's main focus would be - to develop a network of trade agreements.
"That's what you will see in the next while - an acceleration of negotiations and expanding the number of trade agreements."
Trade between Ireland and Japan is €21bn a year.
This is Mr Martin's fifth visit to Japan. By the end of this year, six ministers will have visited the country.
'Sobering' meeting
The Taoiseach said he held a "sobering" meeting last weekend with Tánaiste Simon Harris, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers about Budget 2026 and the National Development Plan.
He said: "It was a sobering enough meeting to be frank in terms of the challenges that lie ahead, given the backdrop of [US] tariffs and uncertainty in trade."
Mr Martin added that another factor of concern related to "the warnings we have received" in relation to "certain corporation tax revenues."
"It's challenging, and expenditure has been rising very significantly in Ireland, and that has to be factored into the equation," he said.
The Taoiseach repeated that the Government would be focusing on capital expenditure, with key priorities already identified such as more investment in the electricity grid, water, and housing.
He also declined to say if Fianna Fáil will run a candidate in the forthcoming Presidential election, commenting: "We will take our decision in due course."
Mr Martin said his party did not run a candidate in the past two elections, was now "examining the situation" and, accordingly, it was "a bit premature" to make any announcement.
However, he pointedly referenced a comment expressed by former Labour leader Joan Burton that no party "shouldn't announce anything" until the end of August.
