In pictures: what does the newly opened Japanese market look like?

The trade deal will progressively lift tariffs on a range of products including dairy, beef and pork. Those were on prominent display at a mid-range Tokyo supermarket during a recent Irish Farmers Journal visit.

Premium Japanese beef commands incredibly high prices: this piece of steak is worth €16, or €76/kg.

A similar cut of Australian steak retails for €18/kg. This is the beef Irish exporters will be competing against in Japan.

Lesser cuts sold as diced beef are still expensive. This Japanese pack sells for €23/kg.

The Australian version will set you back only €14/kg. Again this is Ireland's competitor.

Japanese beef farmers receive an average price of €15/kg carcase weight for finished cattle, but pure-bred Wagyu animals like these can fetch up to €85/kg.

These Japanese cheese sausages may increasingly be made from European ingredients as tariffs on dairy and pork products are lowered.

The growing Japanese taste for cheese attracts a variety of producers. At the lower end of the market, Australian processed cheese in individual portions retails for €15/kg.

Mid-range Japanese cheese sells for €18/kg.

Meanwhile, cheese imported from Australia retails for €22/kg and those from continental Europe are worth €40/kg to €60/kg.

Under the free-trade agreement, Japan will respect European protected geographical indications. The makers of these camembert waffle cookies will have to source their cheese from Europe if they are to keep using its name.

The Japanese love pastries and this could provide an attractive market for Irish butter.

Japanese butter is on sale for €15/kg. This seems to leave room for Kerrygold to compete.

Japanese dairy farmers have enjoyed high prices thanks to market protection and growing demand – typically 80c/l.

As Japan opens to European trade, Irish exporters will compete with other EU agribusinesses already operating in Japan such as France's Danone.

On pork products, Irish exporters will compete with established Italian ones.

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