Together with partners across the globe, the Netherlands is striving to solve many challenges facing societies and the planet. Climate change, energy transition, food security, global health are all challenges that are too big to solve alone. By working together on ’common ground’ the Netherlands aims to create innovative and sustainable solutions.
Consul General at the Osaka Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Commissioner General for the Netherlands at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai Marc Kuipers spoke with Bridges.
Bridges: Can you give us an update on the EXPO? It’s very exciting and you’re there; what’s happening?
Kuipers: For me personally the Expo has already been a great success, even on the first day. It all started with the opening ceremony which was remarkable. Over 10,000 people gathered in the Grand Ring to hear Beethoven’s 9th Symphony; an incredible moment. It was such an amazing event. I happened to be standing next to architect Fujimoto Sou, who designed the magnificent ring structure. Sharing that emotional moment with him was very touching.
The Grand Ring is the symbol of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan and expresses the concept of “Unity in Diversity.” It is constructed using a fusion of modern construction methods and traditional Nuki joints, such as those used in the construction of Japanese shrines and temples. The Ring was recognised by Guinness World Records on March 4, 2025 as “The largest wooden architectural structure”.
The Netherlands Pavilion had a soft opening on the 22nd of April, after the official opening by Dick Schoof, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands.
Our very first visitor was a young girl, one of the singers from the opening ceremony and whose mother was a stewardess at the Dutch airline, KLM. She came with her mother to see if she could enter the Pavilion and I had the chance to show her around. That moment felt very meaningful. In those first two hours, I truly felt our Expo was already a huge success.
The history of trade and exchange between Japan and the Netherlands is rich and reflects mutual influence—not just in science and technology but also in cultural and societal development.
Marc Kuipers, Consul General at the Osaka Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Commissioner General for the Netherlands at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai
That’s a very strong start. The Netherlands Pavilion looks absolutely incredible. How does this Pavilion compare with others?
When we look at the whole Expo, I see it less as a competition and more as a collaborative effort. We see other countries not as rivals but as colleagues. Everyone is on their own journey, with their own interpretations of what they are doing there.
The concept behind Expo has evolved over three generations:
- The first focused on industrial innovation.
- The second shifted toward country branding, attracting tourists and enhancing national image.
- We are now in what we call the third phase, which centers on societal challenges and future-oriented themes.
Deciding what to focus on is difficult because it involves addressing social issues and fostering international collaboration. Many countries still promote their tourism, but many European nations also aim to update the global perception of their country beyond traditional images, such as windmills and clogs for the Netherlands.
In today’s world, we face global challenges such as climate change and pandemics—situations that demand international unity. Japan, for example, tried to close off its borders at the start of the pandemic but during crises, it is clear that solutions come from working together.
Our participation at the Expo revolves around the idea that problems are bigger than any one country, and coming together, sharing ideas, and innovating collaboratively is essential.
The theme of inspiration for the next generation is very important. In today’s digital age, young people often retreat into their phones, but this event aims to show leadership and hope—bringing the world together for six months to find solutions.
That’s a beautiful message. Does this idea of “Common Ground” refer specifically to Japan and the Netherlands, or does it encompass broader international cooperation?
It has many layers. For example, our pavilion’s design features wave motifs symbolizing water and land—a nod to Japan’s rising sun and the Netherlands’ long history of water management.
Our “Common Ground” starts with shared challenges. The Netherlands has over 26% of its land below sea level, and we’ve fought continuously to keep water out. Likewise, historically, we’ve collaborated on water management projects.
There’s also a deep historical connection dating back to 1600, when Dutch ships first arrived in Japan. That moment was a turning point in Japanese history, and I wanted to celebrate it. Last December, I managed to organize an exhibition at Osaka Castle, highlighting this history.
It features the original statues and stories, aimed at making this history accessible and engaging for all ages in an effort to keep the legacy alive.
A wooden statue. A battered ship. A trade pass. And a shared story.
425 years ago, a Dutch ship named De Liefde drifted ashore in Japan. Weeks later, two survivors were received by Tokugawa Ieyasu in Osaka Castle. That meeting, against the odds, became the start of a unique relationship—between Japan and the Netherlands—built on dialogue, trade, and trust.
Kuipers had the honour of opening the exhibition ‘A New Dawn on Common Ground – 425 Years of Exchange Between Japan and the Netherlands’ inside Osaka Castle, the most iconic landmark in the city. Among the many original artifacts brought together is the very first trade pass ever issued to the Dutch in 1609, on display thanks to the generous support of the National Archives of the Netherlands.
The exhibition brings together never-before-seen materials from the Netherlands as well as Osaka, Hirado, Dejima, Usuki, and Tokyo. A special manga tells the story for the next generation.
At the heart of it all stands the original Erasmus statue from De Liefde—425 years later, back in the same place where the unlikely history began, that shaped the Netherlands’ beautiful relationship with Japan. It is estimated that around 150,000 people will visit Osaka Castle and the exhibition in the upcoming month.
A New Dawn on Common Ground
コモングラウンドによる遠隔空間重畳
That’s impressive. So, you’re tying historical and cultural connections into the present?
Exactly. The history of trade and exchange between Japan and the Netherlands is rich and reflects mutual influence—not just in science and technology but also in cultural and societal development.
For example, the Dutch brought scientific knowledge that influenced Japan during its period of national isolation, blending Western and Chinese herbal medicine, for instance.
Looking ahead, what do you see as the legacy of the Osaka Expo?
The Expo is the world’s largest non-political event—it’s inherently political because it addresses societal issues and future development. It’s a platform to showcase stability and cooperation, especially among countries like Japan.
