Embodying a mindset rooted in collective problem-solving, ‘Common ground’ is the concept of the Dutch participation at Expo 2025.
This approach has historical significance, originating from the need to protect the Netherlands, a country largely below sea level, from the threat of rising waters.
Today, global challenges arise that cannot be addressed in isolation, prompting the Netherlands to invite other countries to collaborate in sharing ideas, expertise and innovations.
425 years of Japanese-Dutch relations
This theme also celebrates 425 years of Japanese-Dutch relations, beginning over four centuries ago when the Netherlands first established a partnership with Japan.
The Netherlands Pavilion encourages visitors to engage actively with its offerings through personal Energy Orbs; interactive devices that power and interact with the pavilion’s installations.
Inspiring smarter solutions
At Expo 2025, the circular pavilion will serve as an open meeting space where people can exchange innovative ideas and expertise, igniting collaborations.
Visitors will explore future ways of living driven by renewable energy, circularity, life sciences, health, agrifood, horticulture and digital technologies and discover how art and design can inspire smarter solutions.
The Netherlands Pavilion is located in the Saving Lives District of Expo 2025 Osaka, plot S13, and was constructed by A New Dawn (AND) BV, a consortium that includes RAU architects, experience design studio Tellart, engineering consultancy DGMR, and construction company Asanuma.
The pavilion celebrates the Netherlands’ profound relationship with water, an element that has significantly influenced its landscape and culture.
It showcases how nature can once again be employed to address contemporary global challenges through innovations that promote circular systems and support the energy transition. The pavilion is designed as a fully circular building, intended to be disassembled and its components reused.
Miffy
The pavilion is crafted to inspire individuals of all ages, featuring numerous captivating areas suitable for social media photography. Additionally, it will host the world’s first AI-generated 360˚ dome film. Miffy has been appointed as the “Kids’ Ambassador” of the Netherlands to Japan during Expo, making appearances at the pavilion, where Miffy-themed merchandise is also available.
Common Ground
The Dutch have a rich history of collaboration, particularly in addressing water-related challenges. This history has fostered a culture of unity, allowing the Netherlands to develop protective measures against flooding, reclaim land using wind power, and establish sophisticated water management systems—the foundation upon which modern-day Netherlands stands, both in terms of landscape and mentality.
Embodying a mindset rooted in collective problem-solving, ‘Common ground’ is the concept of the Dutch participation at Expo 2025.
425 Years
In 2025, the Netherlands will commemorate Expo along with 425 years of relations with Japan through a special exhibition at Osaka Castle and the release of a unique banknote.
Over four centuries ago, the Netherlands established common ground with Japan, initiating their collaboration in Hirado and expanding their partnership on the artificial island of Dejima.
Rangaku learning centers sprang up across Japan, bridging ideas and expertise that led to various innovations, such as the introduction of Western medical science and transformative water management projects.
Today, both nations seek common ground in tackling global issues affecting the planet’s health and well-being, including climate change, food security, aging populations, and global health threats—all challenges that require cooperative solutions.
Uniting diverse perspectives
To foster healthy and prosperous societies, it is crucial to unite diverse perspectives, ideas, and expertise. At Expo 2025, the Netherlands invites everyone onto common ground. The circular pavilion will act as an open meeting space for sharing innovative ideas and sparking collaborations aimed at a new dawn.
Together, visitors will explore future lifestyles powered by renewable energy, circularity, life sciences, health, agrifood, horticulture, and digital technologies, alongside the role of art and design in driving innovative solutions.
© Tellart
Energy Orb
After embracing the common ground mindset, visitors will receive their own Energy Orb, a personal device that powers several interactive installations.
Among these installations is the Water Walls—interactive murals that delve into the deep connection between the Dutch and water. These walls demonstrate how the Dutch have evolved from viewing water solely as a threat to embracing it as a valuable resource.
A New Dawn
Inside the pavilion’s striking sphere, guests will experience “A New Dawn,” an AI-generated full-dome film that critiques humanity’s unsustainable consumption of limited resources.
This cinematic journey advocates for change and underscores the Netherlands’ commitment to sustainability through innovations harnessing energy from water. At the conclusion of the film, the visitors’ Energy Orbs will be recharged with a vibrant violet light, symbolizing a renewable and infinite energy source.
Tech
The Netherlands represents a hub of digital innovation, excelling in semiconductor equipment, integrated photonics, and quantum technology. Japan, facing similar societal challenges, stands out in hardware and data collection, while the Netherlands specializes in software development and data analysis. This complementary relationship fosters collaborative initiatives in precision agriculture, e-health, and smart cities (15–26 May).
Food
With the world population expected to approach nearly 10 billion by 2050, innovative and sustainable solutions have become crucial. The Netherlands and Japan share a long-standing and strong connection in agriculture.
Their mutual vision for sustainable food and compatible innovative strengths provide common ground for developing creative solutions to the challenges facing global food production (5 – 16 June and 31 August – 6 September).
© Zhu Yumeng
Health
Similar to Japan, the Netherlands faces shared challenges in healthcare, such as an aging population and rising healthcare costs. By exchanging best practices, these nations can inspire solutions that enhance quality of life on a global scale (20 June – 1 July).
Climate
As climate change leads to increasing disruptions, the urgency for decisive action has never been greater. The Netherlands is committed to collaborating with global partners, including Japanese industries, to develop innovative solutions focused on energy transition, sustainability, and the circular economy.
Both nations, vulnerable to rising sea levels, recognize the pressing need for cooperative climate action (15 – 28 September).
Culture
In addressing global challenges, it is essential to highlight technological, economic, and political responses; however, these measures alone are insufficient.
A fundamental change in perspectives, thinking, practices, and imagination is also necessary, which is where culture plays a vital role.
In 2025, both nations will celebrate 425 years of relations between the Netherlands and Japan, with various programming scheduled from 13 April to 13 October 2025.
Facts and figures
- Official name: Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Capital: Amsterdam
- Seat of government: The Hague
- Form of government: Parliamentary democracy (cabinet of Prime Minister and Ministers) within a constitutional monarchy
- Head of State: His Majesty King Willem-Alexander, King of the Netherlands, Prince of Orange Nassau
- Location: Western Europe bordering Germany, Belgium and the North Sea
- Administrative structure: The kingdom consists of four entities.
- The Netherlands and three territories in the Caribbean: Aruba and Curaçao and St. Maarten.
- Special municipalities: The overseas islands of Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius, all three of which are located in the Caribbean.
- Surface area: 41,543 km2
- Number of provinces: 12
- Number of inhabitants (2024): 18 million Number of inhabitants
- per km2 (2024):
- Monetary Unit: Euro
- Languages: Dutch, Frisian and on the overseas islands also English and Papiaments
- GDP per capita (World Bank, 2024): 57,800 US dollars
- Unemployment rate (CBS, 2024): 3.7%
- English speaking Dutch people: 90%
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