Bridges: What are your expectations and targets for the Osaka 2025 Expo?
Aamodt: As the Nordic Circle, we would like to showcase some of the innovations and cooperation initiatives for our Japanese audience and the global community.
The Nordic pavilion will enable people to gain a better understanding of the Nordic region and have a good experience learning more about each of the participating countries. The themes of the Nordic Pavilion include energy, technology, mobility, health and sustainability; with two main dedicated areas in the pavilion:
The Exhibition Space: Showcasing Nordic life and innovative solutions.
The Business Center: Hosting seminars, networking events and discussions on shared challenges.
Japan and the Nordic countries have always enjoyed close partnerships across business, culture and people to people exchanges and we want to see these relationships develop.
Finn Kristian Aamodt, Commissioner General of Norway
What can visitors expect from the Nordic Pavilion in terms of developments and innovations related to the green-transition?
In line with the theme of the Expo, the Pavilion will focus on key industries including:
- The start-up economy
- Energy and Energy Security
- Life-science and health
- Gender-equality
- Nordic food
- Space
- Gaming
We have a business center located within the Pavilion which will hold seminars and business-driven events. The purpose here is to present, discuss and collaborate around the challenges we face and present solutions.
On the business side, we want to encourage and accelerate new relationships and help maintain the partnerships already shared between the Nordics and Japan. In Tokyo, we also plan to have a business gathering to enable our partner organizations and companies to come together in the Capital.
While the Nordic countries are geographically close and share some cultural elements, each nation has its own social norms and ways of doing business.
Just as colleagues in a business, with the Nordic countries, there is an understanding that what we do together benefits the entire region. We work closely to solve problems and find solutions together and the Nordic Pavilion will strengthen the working partnerships we have enjoyed for so long.
We have a good system in place and a good structure in place aimed at creating stronger collaborations – I think we have something to bring to the table, but also something to learn.
With the continued strengthening of ties between Japan and the Nordic countries, what are your hopes for the future of these important economic partnerships?
Japan and the Nordic countries have always enjoyed close partnerships across business, culture and people to people exchanges and we want to see these relationships develop. We may have different cultures, but we share the same deep respect for nature, social structures and quality of life. Norway and Japan celebrate 120 of diplomatic ties this year and both countries will be celebrating this important milestone.
What message would you like to share with our international audience regarding your role in bringing the Nordic Circle to the forefront of the Expo and your personal vision of the Expo in Japan?
We have this personal and cooperative approach with Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Finland and Sweden coming together that the 2025 Osaka Expo and we want to present the very best of the Nordic region to visitors to the Nordic Pavilion.
Each Nordic country has its own National Day, featuring cultural and business events and the Norwegian Day will include diplomatic meetings, business discussions and energy-focused collaborations.
The pavilion promotes friendly competition between the Nordic countries while maintaining unity. This collaboration among the Nordic countries ensures smooth coordination, with different nations taking responsibility for specific areas.
The goal is to foster business partnerships and accelerate new connections between Norway, Japan, and other stakeholders. Give and take is what life is all about, and that is what business is all about. We’re not just here to present, we are here to build relationships, accelerate partnerships, and create lasting connections.
The Nordic Pavilion
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