Nordic Arctic Day：Event Report
On Saturday, October 11, the Nordic Pavilion, jointly presented by Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, hosted its final event, “Nordic Arctic Day – Business Day for the Arctic Region.” As Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai approaches its closing, the event served as a fitting conclusion to six months of collaboration, dialogue, and innovation.
Over the course of the Expo, the Nordic Pavilion has welcomed high-level guests including royal family members, presidents, and ministers, and held more than 200 corporate and international events, attracting a total of over 1.6 million visitors. Acting as a bridge between Japan and the Nordic region, the Pavilion has fostered numerous new partnerships and projects — culminating in a finale that celebrated the strong ties and shared vision between the two regions.
Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden Returns to Japan
Following her appearance at the Sweden–Japan Sustainability Summit the previous day, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden once again graced the event with her presence. The Crown Princess has long been a global advocate for environmental protection, climate action, and ocean conservation. From 2016 to 2019, she served as one of the 17 United Nations Advocates for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and continues her engagement today as a Global Goals Advocate Emerita.
On October 10, it was officially announced that her mandate as Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) would be extended for another two years.
The Crown Princess has shown particular interest in the conservation of marine resources and sustainable fisheries — areas that hold deep significance for both Sweden and Japan, nations connected by their long coastlines. During her visit, she engaged with young participants in discussions centered on SDG 14: “Life Below Water”, sharing insights and inspiring action toward a sustainable ocean and future.
Nordic Arctic Day: A Platform for International Dialogue on the Arctic
As the final joint Nordic event at the Pavilion, Nordic Arctic Day brought together ministers, researchers, and business leaders from across the Nordic countries and Japan to discuss key issues related to the Arctic region, including geopolitics, climate change, and digital connectivity.
In her keynote speech, Crown Princess Victoria stated:
“Creativity, cooperation, and commitment — these are the values of the Nordic region.”
She reflected on the long-standing partnership between Sweden and Japan in advancing sustainability and the green transition. Speaking about the Arctic’s critical role in the planet’s climate and ecosystems, Her Royal Highness emphasized:
“The Arctic connects us all. It calls on us to act — together. Through cooperation between the Nordic countries and Japan, we can ensure that the Arctic remains a source of life and inspiration for generations to come.”
Following her remarks, Mr. Anders Adlercreutz, Minister of Education of Finland, delivered the opening address. He highlighted the deep and long-standing cooperation between the Nordic region and Japan, noting that the Nordic Pavilion at Expo 2025 provided an ideal platform to further strengthen these ties.
Minister Adlercreutz also pointed out that the Arctic has become a focal point of international attention — both strategically and environmentally. He discussed how the Nordic countries are working together on issues of cybersecurity, resilience, and youth policy under a framework of comprehensive security, and underscored the importance of international dialogue on research and preparedness led by the Nordic Council of Ministers.
A Day of High-Level Dialogue on Geopolitics, Climate, and Digitalization
The morning session focused on geopolitics, exploring evolving security dynamics and emergency response frameworks in the Arctic. In the afternoon, discussions on climate change and polar research addressed the rapid environmental shifts in the region and the need for strengthened research cooperation between the Nordic countries and Japan.
A subsequent session on digitalization and connectivity examined strategic infrastructure projects, such as submarine fiber-optic cables crossing the Arctic Ocean, underscoring the intersection of technology and geopolitics.
The Arctic region is increasingly viewed as a new gateway between Europe and Asia, offering potential for innovation and cooperation in energy, maritime transport, digital communication, and environmental research. As climate change opens new sea routes and infrastructure opportunities, Nordic expertise and technology will play a crucial role — positioning collaboration with Japan as a key to advancing sustainable development in the Arctic.
Toward a Shared Future in the Arctic
Speakers included Mr. Erik Slottner, Sweden’s Minister for Civil Affairs, Ms. Karen Ellemann, Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers, along with leading Arctic researchers and digital policy experts from both the Nordic region and Japan.
The event served as a high-level international platform where policy, science, and business intersected. Throughout the day, participants explored diverse opportunities for Nordic–Japanese cooperation in shaping the future of the Arctic — marking an important step forward for international collaboration on one of the world’s most vital and rapidly changing regions.
Hosting Nordic Arctic Day as the final event of the Pavilion symbolized both a celebration of the Nordic countries’ collective achievements at Expo 2025 and a reaffirmation of their commitment to building a sustainable and connected future together with Japan.