Bridges: How are you enjoying life in Japan? What are some of your favourite aspects of Japanese life?
Ambassador Jarl Frijs-Madsen: I am a city person and I am fortunate that my residence is located in Daikanyama and is close to Nakameguro, Shibuya and Ebisu. So, on the weekend, I put on comfortable walking shoes and explore the city.
On these trips I enjoy many parts of Japanese life: the food of course but even more the unique way that such a big city like Tokyo can still be a calm place thanks to the polite and orderly nature of Japanese people.
I enjoy the way that every small store has a sense for detail and presentation. And being a city person, I enjoy the thousands of people around Shibuya station. The buzz in Japan is a calm and quiet buzz. Seems like a contradiction in terms but it is not.
Another thing I enjoy is going to sento (public bath) and it does not have to be fancy in any way. I lived in Togoshi-Ginza for a year when I was young and went to sento 3-4 times a week back then. Now it is more seldom but it reminds me of that time.
Denmark is proud this time to have a pavilion together with our wonderful Nordic neighbours: Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland. We will have many high-level visitors from Denmark coming to the Expo in Osaka.
Jarl Frijs-Madsen, Ambassador of Denmark to Japan
What is the Embassy doing to strengthen the Japan-Denmark relationship?
That is a good but also a broad question because everything we do from morning to evening is exactly to that end.
Key areas are security, businesses, health, tech, food and green energy and we do it by bringing key decision makers together. Often, we – The Royal Danish Embassy of Denmark – represent the Danish side.
What are your expectations for the Osaka 2025 Expo later this year?
I have high expectations. It will give a lot of attention to Japan around the world. Not as much as the Olympics or World Cup in Soccer does, but still many will be reminded what an important and incredible country Japan is.
Denmark is proud this time to have a pavilion together with our wonderful Nordic neighbours: Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland. We will have many high-level visitors from Denmark coming to the Expo in Osaka.
People-to-people exchanges are vital for a healthy bilateral relationship. What can be done to increase this?
I am looking into this right now with my team. I think there are already impressive people exchanges between our two countries.
What message do you have for our readers regarding the future of the Denmark – Japan partnership?
It is a relationship between two partners who trust each other and have very long and close ties from the Imperial Family of Japan and the Royal Family of Denmark, to our governments, businesses, NGO’s and all the way down to school students.
We will in the future build on these strong relations in any area that is relevant to both countries.
