{"id":70811,"date":"2025-05-06T00:00:46","date_gmt":"2025-05-06T00:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/?p=70811"},"modified":"2025-06-10T03:42:25","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T03:42:25","slug":"common-ground-the-netherlands-pavilion-at-expo-2025-osaka-kansai-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/common-ground-the-netherlands-pavilion-at-expo-2025-osaka-kansai-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"Common Ground. The Netherlands Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Embodying a mindset rooted in collective problem-solving, \u2018Common ground\u2019 is the concept of the Dutch participation at Expo 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a9 Zhu Yumeng<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

425 years of Japanese-Dutch relations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This theme also celebrates 425 years of Japanese-Dutch relations, beginning over four centuries ago when the Netherlands first established a partnership with Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Netherlands Pavilion encourages visitors to engage actively with its offerings through personal Energy Orbs; interactive devices that power and interact with the pavilion\u2019s installations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inspiring smarter solutions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At Expo 2025, the circular pavilion will serve as an open meeting space where people can exchange innovative ideas and expertise, igniting collaborations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a9 Zhu Yumeng<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pavilion celebrates the Netherlands’ profound relationship with water, an element that has significantly influenced its landscape and culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miffy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\u00a9 Mercis BV<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s first AI-generated 360\u02da dome film. Miffy has been appointed as the “Kids\u2019 Ambassador” of the Netherlands to Japan during Expo, making appearances at the pavilion, where Miffy-themed merchandise is also available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a9 Tellart<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Common Ground<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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\u2014the foundation upon which modern-day Netherlands stands, both in terms of landscape and mentality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Embodying a mindset rooted in collective problem-solving, \u2018Common ground\u2019 is the concept of the Dutch participation at Expo 2025.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

425 Years<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2014all challenges that require cooperative solutions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a9 Zhu Yumeng<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Uniting diverse perspectives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a9 Tellart<\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Energy Orb<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After embracing the common ground mindset, visitors will receive their own Energy Orb, a personal device that powers several interactive installations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among these installations is the Water Walls\u2014interactive 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a9 Tellart<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A New Dawn<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Inside the pavilion\u2019s striking sphere, guests will experience “A New Dawn,” an AI-generated full-dome film that critiques humanity\u2019s unsustainable consumption of limited resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019 Energy Orbs will be recharged with a vibrant violet light, symbolizing a renewable and infinite energy source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a9 Tellart<\/div><\/div><\/a>
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\u00a9 Zhu Yumeng<\/div><\/div><\/a>
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\u00a9 Tellart<\/div><\/div><\/a>
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\u00a9 Tellart<\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>
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Tech<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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\u201326 May).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2013 16 June and 31 August \u2013 6 September).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a9 Zhu Yumeng<\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2013 1 July).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both nations, vulnerable to rising sea levels, recognize the pressing need for cooperative climate action (15 \u2013 28 September).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a9 Zhu Yumeng<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Culture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In addressing global challenges, it is essential to highlight technological, economic, and political responses; however, these measures alone are insufficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fundamental change in perspectives, thinking, practices, and imagination is also necessary, which is where culture plays a vital role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a9 AND BV, Plomp<\/div><\/div><\/a>
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\u00a9 Plomp, Tellart, AND BV<\/div><\/div><\/a>
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\u00a9 Plomp<\/div><\/div><\/a>
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\u00a9 Plomp<\/div><\/div><\/a>
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\u00a9 Plomp<\/div><\/div><\/a>
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\u00a9 Plomp<\/div><\/div><\/a>
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\u00a9 Plomp<\/div><\/div><\/a>
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\u00a9 Tellart<\/div><\/div><\/a>
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\u00a9 Tellart<\/div><\/div><\/a>
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\u00a9 Tellart<\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>
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Facts and figures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n