"Sweden National Day" Event report
Sweden National Day Held on May 14 (Wed) – A Celebration of Innovation, Creativity, and Sustainability with the Presence of H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf and Nobel Laureate Prof. Shinya Yamanaka
The Nordic Pavilion, a joint exhibition by the five Nordic countries—Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden—continues to draw attention at Expo 2025 Osaka. On Wednesday, May 14, Sweden hosted its National Day, marking a memorable and significant event.
This special day was graced by the presence of His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, who also attended the Osaka Expo 55 years ago in 1970. His return symbolized the strong and enduring friendship between Sweden and Japan.
Opening Ceremony & Celebratory Performances
The official opening ceremony was held in the National Day Hall “Rei Garden” in the morning. Distinguished guests included H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf, representatives from the Swedish government, and leaders from the business community.
The ceremony highlighted the longstanding partnership between Sweden and Japan and reaffirmed their shared values: sustainability, innovation, and creativity.
In his speech, King Carl XVI Gustaf stated:
“It is a great honor to speak before you today about the strong bonds between Japan and Sweden. Our countries established diplomatic relations in 1868, and in 2018, we celebrated 150 years of cooperation. On a personal note, I feel that the Swedish Royal Family and the Japanese Imperial Family share a very close relationship. I visited the 1970 Osaka Expo, and my wife attended Expo 2005 in Aichi. I extend my congratulations to Japan for hosting this remarkable international exposition. Looking ahead, our countries will continue to deepen our partnership, promote innovation, and work together toward sustainable growth and mutual prosperity.”
Koji Haneda, Representative of the Government of Japan for Expo 2025, responded:
“Japan and Sweden are irreplaceable partners, sharing fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The strong relationship between our royal families forms the foundation of our good relations. His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf has visited Japan many times and has shown deep understanding and interest in our country. We are grateful for Sweden’s participation in the Expo and wish His Majesty a fruitful visit.”
The ceremony concluded with a special live performance by Swedish singer Malin Christine and renowned producer Albin Nordqvist, known for his work with major Japanese and Korean artists. The set included the Swedish folk song “Uti vår hage”, and original songs like “Everlasting” (SixTONES), “Beyond the Horizon” (TWICE), and “norn” (Mrs. GREEN APPLE), delivering an emotional and powerful tribute to Japan-Sweden friendship.
National Day Parade
Following the ceremony, a National Day Parade took place at the “Grand Ring”. Around 80 volunteer participants, including performers in traditional Swedish costumes, marched through the Nordic Pavilion area with live music. The parade was met with warm smiles and applause from Expo visitors, creating heartwarming cultural exchanges between Sweden and Japan.
Visit to the Expo Site
After the ceremony, H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf toured the Expo 2025 site, including the Japan Pavilion and the Nordic Pavilion. Swedish-speaking guides warmly welcomed the King and introduced the Nordic Pavilion's exhibits and themes.
Sweden Business Summit: “Pioneer the Possible”
In the afternoon, the Sweden Business Summit took place, bringing together business leaders from Sweden and Japan. Under the theme “Pioneer the Possible”, the summit focused on innovation, sustainability, and strategic partnerships.
Nobel Laureate Prof. Shinya Yamanaka delivered the keynote speech, emphasizing the critical role of science, ethics, and international collaboration in shaping the future.
At the “Pioneer Prize” ceremony, Swedish company GreenIron was awarded for its revolutionary low-carbon iron production technology. The prize was presented by Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Benjamin Dousa. GreenIron’s solution is a milestone in the challenging decarbonization of the steel industry and represents Sweden’s pioneering spirit toward a cleaner, innovative future.
The summit also featured a live drawing session by renowned Swedish illustrator Niklas Elmehed, known for his portraits of Nobel Laureates. His artwork captured the atmosphere of the summit and highlighted the power of storytelling through creativity.
Swedish Cultural Pop-Up Events Across the Expo
Throughout the day, various pop-up events introduced Swedish culture and technology to Expo visitors:
・At the Kids’ Lounge, children enthusiastically played with Sweden’s educational app Toca Boca, promoting creativity and learning. The adjacent exhibit introduced Sweden’s values in children’s culture and education.
・At the Music Stage, visitors experienced hands-on music production using equipment from Swedish tech company Teenage Engineering, exploring the boundaries of sound and creativity. The Swedish Music Moments exhibition, presented by the Swedish Institute, was also very well received.
Celebrating a 55-Year Legacy of Friendship
In front of the Nordic Pavilion, a photo panel displayed images of H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf (then Crown Prince) at the 1970 Osaka Expo, drawing much interest. This exhibition symbolized the long-standing friendship and mutual respect between Japan and Sweden.
The King’s return after 55 years beautifully highlighted the continuity of international cooperation and the deep historical ties between the two nations.