Which group organized Tokyo's first Saint Patrick's Day parade in 1992?

Irish Network Japan organized Tokyo’s first Saint Patrick’s Day parade in 1992.

The parade began as a small community event and helped establish Saint Patrick’s Day as a major annual Irish cultural celebration in Japan. Early activities were associated with Roppongi, while the parade later moved to Omotesando, one of Tokyo’s best-known avenues. It is now widely regarded as one of Asia’s largest Saint Patrick’s Day parades.

Irish Network Japan is a volunteer organization founded in 1987 to connect Irish residents and people in Japan interested in Ireland. Its work has included social events, cultural exchange, sports activities, and community information—not just the parade itself.

The Irish Embassy supported the broader celebration, but it was not the group that organized the first parade. The Tokyo Irish Club and Japan-Ireland Society are plausible-sounding alternatives because both describe organizations that could have promoted Irish-Japanese relations. The specific historical credit belongs to Irish Network Japan, commonly abbreviated INJ.

The parade’s growth also reflects Japan’s wider interest in Irish music, dance, festivals, and cultural exchange. Celebrations have since spread to numerous other Japanese cities.