Upon arriving at the Expo site, Prime Minister Schoof was welcomed by Koji Haneda, Commissioner-General of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, and Hiroyuki Ishige, its Secretary-General. Also in attendance was Hiroshi Minami, Ambassador of Japan to the Netherlands.
Before the pavilion opening, Schoof visited the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion, one of Expo 2025’s signature attractions. There, he met with Osaka Prefecture Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura. Together, they explored exhibits showcasing next-generation medical innovations. Among them was the groundbreaking “heart sheet”, a regenerative therapy developed by Professor Yoshiki Sawa and his team at Osaka University. The heart sheet, created from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, aims to restore function in damaged heart tissue and is seen as a major step forward in regenerative medicine.
At the Netherlands Pavilion, Schoof was joined by Osaka Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama, Marc Kuipers, Netherlands Consul-General in Osaka, and Gilles Beschoor Plug, Ambassador of the Netherlands in Tokyo. The official opening ceremony featured an orb—part of the pavilion’s immersive experience—illuminated in bright orange for the occasion. Guests received their own orbs, and the Prime Minister raised his towards the pavilion, after which pavilion staff unveiled the entrance by drawing back a curtain to reveal the vibrant orange centerpiece sphere. Schoof also toured the exhibits highlighting Dutch innovations in sustainability, urban planning, and health.
Speaking at the ceremony, Schoof emphasized the importance of international collaboration:
“Even though our countries are 13,000 kilometers apart, we have many things in common—a changing society, a changing climate, and a shared eye for economic opportunities and growth. So we do indeed have plenty of common ground. That’s what we hope to find with other countries here at this Expo. Today’s problems can only be solved by working together—and that starts with open conversation. We welcome everyone to the Netherlands Pavilion to share ideas, find inspiration, and build a more resilient society together.”
As part of the ceremony, all guests were presented a commemorative banknote, marking 425 years of Dutch-Japanese relations and the Netherlands’ participation in Expo 2025. One side features the “Common Ground” pavilion, while the reverse depicts scenes from the historic bond between the two nations. The banknote is also available at the pavilion shop as a meaningful souvenir for visitors.
The opening was followed by a reception and a round of questions from the press.