Norway’s National Day - The Program has been announced
Join us for a special day celebrating 120 years of diplomatic relations between Norway and Japan — a day of culture, partnership, and inspiring performances.
The Nordic Pavilion, jointly presented by the five Nordic countries—Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden — are hosting individual National Days for each country. Norway will celebrate its National Day on Monday, June 2nd, 2025, and has unveiled a special program to mark the occasion.
There will also be a second day of business seminars in Tokyo on the 3rd of June(Invitation only).
Culture and cooperation
Norway Day at Expo 2025 Osaka will consist of two parts: morning and afternoon. In the morning, an official opening ceremony will be held in the National Day Hall. Attendees will include the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide, officials from the Norwegian government, and representatives of major partners such as DNV, Statkraft, Kongsberg, Equinor, Rystad Energy, GE Healthcare and the Norwegian Seafood Council. The ceremony will highlight Norway’s collaborations with Japan and its commitment to innovation.
At the opening ceremony Norwegian singer and composer Helene Bøksle will perform. Helene is known for her crystal clear voice, blending Norwegian folk tunes, folk pop and rock in her songs. Bøksle is accompanied by composer Eirik Berge who’s collaborated with artists across multiple genres, including Scottish and British singer-songwriters Lewis Capaldi and Passenger, Norwegian artists Aurora and Girl in Red, Swedish Zara Larsson, Danish Lukas Graham, Faeroese Eivør and Norwegian artists Sissel & Helene Bøksle.
In the afternoon there is a Japan-Norway Business Dialogue at the Nordic Pavilion. This dialogue will bring together high-level representatives from some of Norway’s most respected companies—as well as senior government officials led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Through a series of focused panel discussions with Japanese counterparts from business and government, the seminar will explore key topics including: strengthening food and energy value chains, securing critical infrastructure at sea and promoting diversity and equality in global business and society.
In Tokyo on the 3rd of June there will be political meetings and talks and discussions on renewable energy and ocean space security, in addition to the annual Norway-Japan Seafood seminar. Japan-Norway Business Dialogue and the program on 3rd June is closed events with invitees.
Green industry partners
The business seminars will build upon the strategic partnerships established between Norway and Japan in 2023, which included closer collaboration in the green transition.
From Idar Kreutzer, Director of International Affairs at The Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO).
“At Expo some of our most significant member companies are helping to highlight Nordic cooperation and the mutual trust we enjoy in the Nordic region. Japan is an important trading partner and a powerhouse for industry, research and technological development, and market access is important. Together, Japan and Norway can use the Expo to further strengthen our relationship within economic security, energy security, and supply security.”
Norwegian companies are ready to collaborate in Japanese projects within offshore wind, energy supply and ocean technology. Norway is already an important supplier of Norwegian seafood to Japan, especially salmon. In Norway Japanese companies have invested in seafood, aquaculture, maritime, green energy and health technology.
Trust, collaboration and sustainability
The Nordic Pavilion is emphasizing the Nordic values of trust, collaboration and sustainability.
"At Expo 2025, we will showcase how strong trade unions, and an organized working life contribute to social justice, security, and economic growth," says Kenneth Sandmo, Director at Norwegian Confederation of Trade unions.
Both the pavilion and the business seminars on Norway Day emphasize the importance of the welfare state and the collaboration between employers, trade unions, and the government to ensure fair working conditions and economic stability.
Program Overview:
2nd June, Monday
11:00-12:00 at EXPO 2025 Osaka-Kansai, National Day Hall ”Ray Gargen”
Opening Ceremony
15:30-18:30 at the Nordic Pavilion
Japan-Norway Business Dialogue*Invitation only
From the Commissioner General for Norway, Finn Kristian Aamodt
"Norway’s National Day at Expo 2025 will present Norwegian culture and is also a celebration of 120 years of diplomatic relations between Norway and Japan. Norway Day will also show that Norway is a reliable partner for Japan in sustainable ocean management, seafood and proven solutions for the green transition. Norway and the Nordics want to work together with Japan to achieve sustainable solutions that matter."
The Norway National Day at Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai on Monday, June 2, and the business seminar in Tokyo on Tuesday, June 3, will focus on the importance of the welfare state and efforts to achieve fair working conditions and economic stability through collaboration between employers, labor unions, and the government. Join us for this special day filled with the best of Norway!