Connection to World Expo 2025

The mission was part of the broader program surrounding World Expo 2025 in Osaka (April 13 – October 13), which carries the theme Designing Future Society for Our Lives. The Netherlands is participating with its own pavilion, showcasing innovative solutions in the fields of (high) tech, climate, health, food, and culture.

Mission: two high tech tracks and en two digitalization tracks

The innovation mission, held from May 18–28, centered on four thematic tracks: two in high tech (Semicon – Deeptech & Equipment en Quantum & Photonics – Deeptech & Applications) and two in digitalization (Beyond 5G/6G en AI/Data). Our top sector played an active role in three of the four tracks. 

The mission was organized by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the Dutch Embassy in Japan, and brought together more than 70 participating organizations. From Rijkswaterstaat to TNO and from FNS to Brainport Industries. The delegation included a strong mix of startups, SMEs, multinationals, ministries, public institutions, and universities. The program featured company and university visits, matchmaking with Japanese counterparts, and participation in the HTDX Conference, held as part of the World Expo.

This mission offered Dutch organizations the opportunity to forge strategic partnerships, exchange knowledge, and collaborate on innovative solutions to future challenges. Throughout the program, the cultural and technological kinship between Japan and the Netherlands emerged as a recurring theme.

Peter Stolk, Chairman of Holland High Tech:

Japan and the Netherlands complement each other very well in the high-tech industry, especially in the field of semiconductor equipment and materials.  During this trade mission I felt a strong interest and intention on both sides to further intensify our collaboration, both in the area of innovation and manufacturing.

The first days of the mission were previously covered in an earlier publication:

Read more

Bits & Chips joined the Deeptech Equipment track (semiconductors, photonics, quantum) and published a full report on the successful mission:

To the report 
 
All participants in the four mission tracks are listed in the Mission Booklet, available for download below:

Naar Mission Booklet 

HTDX Conference featuring four tracks

On May 22, the HTDX Conference took place at the Hilton Osaka, drawing over 300 participants - equally split between Japan and the Netherlands. The four thematic tracks were again at the heart of the program. The day began with a high-level round table, attended by King Willem-Alexander, Minister Beljaarts, and around 20 CEOs from the Dutch business community.



Jeannine Peek, Figurehead of the Dutch Top Sector ICT, spoke during the plenary opening of the conference. In her speech, she emphasized the importance of international collaboration between the Netherlands and Japan in the field of digital technologies.

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The conference program also included a networking lunch and several deep-dive sessions. Peter Stolk moderated the session on ecosystem development and open innovation, featuring contributions from Eric-Mark Huitema (High Tech NL), John Blankendaal (Brainport Industries), Paul Wijngaard (TNO), Mayra van Houts (Quantum Delta NL), Yuji Tsukamoto (SEAJ), and Koji Yasui (Mitsubishi Electric). Key topics included future network services, public-private partnerships, and international collaboration.

Royal visit on the occasion of the Netherlands National Day

The mission coincided with the Netherlands National Day on May 21. King Willem-Alexander, Minister Reinette Klever (Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation), and Minister Dirk Beljaarts (Economic Affairs) visited the Dutch pavilion at the Expo that day, accompanied by a large delegation from the Dutch business community.

Strategic deals in Japan

During the mission, Dutch companies and knowledge institutions signed several strategic cooperation agreements with leading Japanese partners in the fields of semiconductors, quantum technology, and 6G networks. The agreements were formalized in the presence of His Majesty the King and Minister Dirk Beljaarts of Economic Affairs.
  
Minister Beljaarts stated:

The Netherlands is a valuable partner for Japan in the high-tech sector: we bring key technologies such as chip-making equipment and smart digital solutions, while Japan excels in high-quality manufacturing and advanced materials. By working together, we create new opportunities for Dutch entrepreneurs in this important growth market.

Highlighted agreements: 

• TNO & XG Mobile Promotion Forum (XGMF) signed an agreement to collaborate on industrial wireless communication and the development of 5G and 6G technologies. Both parties aim to jointly build a global ecosystem for future mobile internet. 
• Fujitsu announced the expansion of the Advanced Computing Lab Delft, located at QuTech within Delft University of Technology, to accelerate the development of quantum applications.  
• Quantum Delta NL & AIST (Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology) signed an agreement to strengthen long-term cooperation in quantum technology and foster the development of an international ecosystem for quantum innovation. 
• Together with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), High Tech NL signed a Partners for International Business (PIB) agreement with, among others, the Brabant Development Agency (BOM), PhotonDelta, Quantum Delta, Oost NL and Eindhoven University of Technology. The project will officially launch on September 1.

Strong ties in high tech

The economic relationship between the Netherlands and Japan is well-established. In 2024, Dutch exports to Japan totaled over €6.3 billion, with a significant share consisting of high-tech goods such as semiconductor equipment. Japan is also home to more than 800 Dutch business locations, the majority of which operate within the HTSM sector (High Tech Systems and Materials).