【The Nordic Pavilion】 Osaka/Kansai Expo’s Nordic Pavilion, a special day filled with the colors of Sweden: “Swedish National Day” will be held on Wednesday, May 14th The Nordic Pavilion Press release: May 15, 2025 Osaka/Kansai Expo’s Scandinavian Pavilion will hold a special day filled with the colors of Sweden: “Sweden National Day” on Wednesday, May 14th In the presence of His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf, Nobel Prize winner Professor Shinya Yamanaka will be held to celebrate the innovation, creativity, and sustainability shared by both countries
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/143136/14/143136-14-09f000c28b2c9a3f3926d5176046e365-3141×2094.jpg On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, Sweden’s national day “Sweden National Day” was held in a grand manner at the Nordic Pavilion, which attracts attention as a joint exhibition by the five Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. This day, which was held as part of each country’s national day for the joint exhibition of the five Nordic countries, welcomed His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustav, who attended the Osaka Expo 55 years ago, to the venue once again, making it a special day symbolizing the strong friendship between Japan and Sweden. The event centered on the “Official Opening Ceremony” in the morning and the “Sweden Business Summit” in the afternoon, and included a variety of programs that celebrated innovation, friendship between the two countries, and a vision for the future, including pop-up events at the venue. Official opening ceremony and performance The official opening ceremony was held in the morning at the National Day Hall “Leigarden” and was attended by His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf, a delegation from the Swedish
government, and members of the business community. It was an opportunity to once again celebrate the long-standing partnership between Sweden and Japan, and to reaffirm the values that the two countries share: “sustainability,” “innovation,” and “creativity.” His Majesty King Carl I would like to congratulate Japan for hosting the Tsukuba Expo in 2005 and the Aichi Expo in 2005. Looking to the future, our two countries are committed to further deepening our partnership, promoting innovation, and creating new opportunities for sustainable growth and mutual prosperity.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/143136/14/143136-14-2ac7a06b750ba588e72f8f6feb2361b0-2858×1905.jpg As a representative of the Japanese government, 2025 Japan
International Expo Government Representative Koji Hada also said, “Both countries are irreplaceable partners who share fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.The foundation of our good relationship is the long-standing strong bond between the Imperial Family and the Royal Family.His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf has visited Japan many times, including a visit to the Osaka World Expo in 1970, and has shown his deep understanding and interest in Japan. I would like to conclude my remarks by once again expressing my gratitude for Sweden’s
participation in the Expo and wishing His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustav a fruitful visit to Japan. ” was the congratulatory message. Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/143136/14/143136-14-7a91264cd198611ad11298e9ba5388ff-3000×2000.jpg The ceremony concluded with a special live performance by Malin Kristin, a popular Swedish artist, and Albin Nordqvist, a
world-renowned producer who has also produced many songs by popular Japanese and Korean groups. The first song was the Swedish folk song “Uti vår hage,” followed by “Everlasting” (song artist: SixTONES), “Beyond the Horizon” (song artist: TWICE), and “norn” (song artist: Mrs. GREEN APPLE).The delicate and powerful stage performed by the acoustic set was a moment that highlighted the bond between Japan and Sweden.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/143136/14/143136-14-5426da73f46d5264c34f057841f3816f-3000×2000.jpg Left: Mr. Malin Kristin Right: Mr. Albin Nordqvist National Day Parade After the ceremony, a National Day Parade was held at the venue’s “Big Roof Ring,” where approximately 80 volunteer participants, including performers wearing traditional Swedish costumes, paraded around the Nordic Pavilion to live music. We were welcomed by all the smiling Expo visitors, and a heartwarming moment unfolded where Swedish and Japanese cultures came into contact.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/143136/14/143136-14-b7beb1ab2b5a1ba66e759cc7594a2211-3900×2600.jpg Inspection of Osaka/Kansai Expo venue After the official opening ceremony, His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustav toured the Osaka-Kansai Expo venues, including the Japan Pavilion and the Nordic Pavilion. At the Nordic Pavilion, the staff, including a guide from the Kingdom of Sweden, warmly welcomed His Majesty the King and introduced him to the charms of the Nordic Pavilion.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/143136/14/143136-14-ffd0620c873a48b852765666cc7e351f-3000×2000.jpg Tour of Japan Pavilion
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/143136/14/143136-14-bf146c02c31741edbd7243acb82bffa5-3504×2336.jpg Tour of the Nordic Pavilion Swedish Business Summit: “Pioneer the Possible” In the afternoon, the Swedish Business Summit was held, bringing together leaders from the Swedish and Japanese business worlds. Under the theme “Pioneer the Possible,” lectures were held on innovation, sustainability, and strategic collaboration. At the summit, Professor Shinya Yamanaka, who won the Nobel Prize for the discovery of iPS cells, gave a keynote speech and delivered a powerful message about science and ethics that will shape the future, and the importance of international collaboration.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/143136/14/143136-14-2081a5e90c892ee767c2d3ca79fd2b35-3000×2000.jpg At the Pioneer Prize award ceremony that followed, innovative initiatives by Swedish SMEs were introduced, and the award was presented to GreenIron by Benjamin Dousa, Minister of International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade. The steel industry is said to be an extremely difficult industry to decarbonize, but GreenIron has created a revolutionary technology to decarbonize the steel industry. GreenIron’s work embodies the pioneering spirit behind this award, and winning GreenIron is a powerful step toward a cleaner, more innovative future. In addition, Niklas Elmehed, a Swedish illustrator known for his portraits of Nobel Prize winners, created a live drawing of the summit taking place, conveying to visitors the power of storytelling that creates social impact through creativity. Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/143136/14/143136-14-09a85d5d9cd430a4a7e9260b13dd72d7-2194×1463.jpg Scene from the award ceremony
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/143136/14/143136-14-2bc2b878fc1de7a4041c7854c98f4357-2796×1864.jpg Mr. Niklas Elmehed Swedish experience spread within Osaka/Kansai venue Throughout the day on National Day, pop-up events were held at various locations within the venue where visitors could experience Swedish culture and technology. ・At the Kids Lounge (Pop-up Stage Togai), there was an experience corner for the educational game app “Toca Boca” from Sweden, where many children became absorbed in playing while expanding their imaginations. The attached exhibition also introduced Swedish children’s culture and educational philosophy.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/143136/14/143136-14-088ff9254f3b3a0b0bf1910b6bcfb04b-3384×2256.jpg ・The music production experience by Swedish tech company Teenage Engineering held on the music stage (pop-up stage west) provided visitors with the opportunity to actually operate equipment and enjoy a world of original sounds. The exhibition “Swedish Music Moments” by the Swedish Institute was also well received.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/143136/14/143136-14-23c3d4e75dd82464fae13df166c65d9f-3384×2256.jpg In front of the Scandinavian Pavilion, a photo panel of His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf (then Crown Prince) of His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustav when he attended the 1970 Osaka Expo was displayed, attracting the attention of visitors. This exhibition symbolizes the long history of friendship and exchange between Japan and Sweden, and celebrates the memorable moment when His Majesty the King returned to the Expo site in Osaka after 55 years. Furthermore, our participation in the 1970 and 2025 Osaka World Expos symbolizes our continued international cooperation and gives us a sense of the depth of the history of trust and co-creation that our two countries have built. ■Comment from His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf: The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1868 and celebrated 150 years of cooperation in 2018. Also, in the 18th century, Swedish botanist Karl Peter Thunberg published the first Japanese botanical journal, Flora Japonica. Since then, the partnership between the two countries has developed in various fields such as business, science, innovation, and culture. Crown Princess Victoria and I have made many fond memories at the international expositions that have been held in Japan. I visited the 1970 Osaka World Expo and the 1985 In 2005, the Crown Princess visited the Tsukuba Expo, and in 2005, the Crown Princess visited the Aichi Expo. Last December, the Prime Minister of Sweden visited Japan. During this visit, we announced a strategic partnership to pave the way for long-term cooperation. These relate to areas such as trade and investment, green transition, and research and innovation. As a member of the European Union (EU), Sweden continues to develop deeper and more dynamically through the Japan-EU Strategic Partnership signed in 2018. These are based on long-standing cooperation, common interests and shared values. Japan is Sweden’s third largest trading partner in Asia and its second largest export market in the region. Currently, 1,500 Swedish companies do business with Japan, 150 of which are based in Japan. In recent years, investment from Japan to Sweden has also increased, particularly in the steel industry, energy, and
infrastructure sectors. International expositions provide the perfect platform for new collaborations, business and cultural connections. Looking to the future, both countries are committed to further deepening their partnership, promoting innovation, and creating new opportunities for sustainable growth and mutual prosperity. ■Comment from Koji Hada, Government Representative for Expo 2025 Japan: Japan and Sweden have built a relationship based on deep friendship and trust for more than 150 years. Our two countries are cooperating in many areas, and I am confident that our relationship will continue to deepen. Exchanges in the private and academic fields, as well as between local governments in both countries, are active. The foundation of good relations lies in the long-standing strong ties between the Imperial Family and the Royal Family. His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustav has visited Japan many times, including for the Osaka Expo in 1970, and has shown a deep understanding and interest in Japan. In particular, in 2018, he visited Japan with Her Majesty Queen Sylvia to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and deepened his friendship with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of the time. Last September marked the 50th anniversary of His Majesty’s accession to the throne, and I believe that His Majesty the King’s return visit on this milestone occasion is a symbolic event that once again demonstrates the close relationship between the imperial families of both countries, and that it has left a great impression among the people. At this year’s expo, Sweden is exhibiting technologies and ideas centered on earth-friendly energy initiatives, connections between people and nature, and between people at the Nordic Pavilion, which is a joint exhibit with the Nordic countries. We hope that through exhibitions like this, the charm of Sweden will be widely conveyed to Japan and the world. We hope that everyone in Sweden will take a look at the Japan Pavilion and gain a new sense of the charm of Japan. I would like to conclude my remarks by once again expressing my gratitude for Sweden’s participation in the Expo and wishing His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustav a fruitful visit to Japan. ■Comment from Cecilia Ekholm (Representative of the Swedish Government in the Nordic Pavilion): “It was a very fulfilling day, as Sweden was warmly welcomed to the Osaka-Kansai Expo. His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf was in attendance, and many visitors came to see the National Day Parade, the Swedish Business Summit, and experience programs at the East and West pop-up stages. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who came to Sweden’s National Day.” A step towards co-creation towards the future “Swedish National Day” was a valuable day to reaffirm the strong ties between Japan and Sweden, and to encourage future-oriented dialogue through business and culture. The Nordic Pavilion will continue to provide visitors with a variety of experiences as a place for the five countries to collaborate and create a better tomorrow together. Download the official materials of the Nordic Pavilion from here. To download the official materials for this event, please click here. [About the Nordic Pavilion] This is a Type A pavilion consisting of the five Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden), which are Europe’s 5th largest economy and the world’s 10th largest economy, with a population of 27 million people and a GDP of 1.6 trillion US dollars. 2025 will be the third time that pavilions from five Nordic countries will participate in the Expo. At the 2025 Osaka/Kansai Expo, based on the concept of “Nordic Circle – Together with Scandinavia, towards a better tomorrow,” the five Nordic countries will introduce advanced initiatives in the three fields of technology, innovation, and sustainability that will lead the world towards a better future. [Official website] https://thenordics-expoosaka.com/jp/home
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