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’m fortunate that my residence is located in Daikanyama, conveniently close to Nakameguro, Shibuya, and Ebisu. On weekends, I slip into comfortable walking shoes and explore the city.
During these trips, I appreciate many aspects of Japanese life: the food, of course, but even more so the unique way that a bustling metropolis like Tokyo remains calm, thanks to the polite and orderly nature of the Japanese people.
I admire how every small store pays attention to detail and presentation. And as a city person, I enjoy the crowds around Shibuya station. The buzz in Japan is a quiet, composed kind of energy. It may sound like a contradiction, but it isn’t.
One more thing I love is going to sento (public baths), and it doesn’t need to be fancy at all. When I was young, I lived in Togoshi-Ginza for a year and visited the sento 3-4 times a week. Nowadays, I go less often, but it always takes me back to those times.
Denmark is particularly proud to have a pavilion this time, in collaboration with our wonderful Nordic neighbours: Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland.
Jarl Frijs-Madsen, Ambassador of Denmark to Japan
What is the Embassy doing to strengthen the Japan-Denmark relationship?
That’s a great question, but also a broad one, because everything we do, from morning to evening, contributes to strengthening this relationship.
Our key areas of focus include security, business, health, technology, food, and green energy. We achieve this by bringing together important decision-makers, and often, The Royal Danish Embassy represents Denmark’s interests in these discussions.
What are your expectations for the Osaka 2025 Expo later this year?
I have high expectations. The Expo will shine a global spotlight on Japan, although perhaps not to the same extent as the Olympics or the World Cup, but it will certainly remind many people of Japan’s significance and incredible impact.
Denmark is particularly proud to have a pavilion this time, in collaboration with our wonderful Nordic neighbours: Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland. We are also expecting many high-level visitors from Denmark to attend the Expo in Osaka.
People-to-people exchanges are vital for a strong bilateral relationship. What can be done to enhance these exchanges?
I’m currently exploring this with my team. There are already some impressive people-to-people exchanges between our two countries, and I believe there’s potential to build on that further.
What message do you have for our readers regarding the future of the Denmark–Japan partnership?
This is a relationship based on mutual trust, with deep, long-standing ties that go back from the Imperial Family of Japan and the Royal Family of Denmark to our governments, businesses, NGOs, and even school students.
Looking ahead, we will continue to strengthen these valuable connections in any areas that are relevant to both countries.
