HM The King goes to Japan for an accession visit 23 – 25 April 2025. During the visit, The King leads an official business campaign, which will promote Danish economic diplomacy and support trade in several sectors.

In Tokyo, a series of visits focusing on sustainable food production, gastronomy, green energy and life science will be carried out. Particularly in the area of food culture, Denmark and Japan have a tradition of close cooperation, and the visit will strengthen exports and focus on sustainable production of food products.

The visit also includes participation in “Denmark Day” at World Expo 2025 in Osaka, where The King will deliver the opening speech. In addition to the visit, there will be an investment conference that will attract Japanese companies to Denmark.

An item of special note during the accession visit is the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In this connection, The King visits memorials and the official Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum to mark Danish support for and recognition of Japan’s role as a peaceful nation. 

Japan is the world’s fourth largest economy and one of Denmark’s most important trading partners. Denmark and Japan have had diplomatic ties for 158 years and entered into a joint action plan in 2023 to expand cooperation even further. The King’s first official foreign visit as Crown Prince in 1987 was also to Japan.

The King will be accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Jacob Jensen and Minister for Business Morten Bødskov all of whom will take part in various activities during the state visit.

 

PROGRAMME

The programme may be subject to changes.

Wednesday, 23 April

Official opening of the conference Future food production
12:00
The King marks the opening of the official Danish export promotion effort for food products and agriculture with a short opening speech at the conference Future food production – food security in a sustainable way. The conference focuses on the balance between sustainability and food supply and will include the participation of the accompanying ministerial and business delegation, Japanese food and agricultural authorities and the Danish companies participating in the visit.

The conference will be held at Meiji Kinenkan in Tokyo, which is a historic and ceremonial building surrounded by traditional Japanese gardens.

The King takes part in the conference The Future of Clean Energy
14:00
The King takes part in the conference The Future of Clean Energy, where the focus will be on Denmark as a global green front-runner. The seminar provides a setting for knowledge sharing, debate and matchmaking between politicians, the business community and media outlets interested in sustainable energy solutions of the future.

The King participates in life science conference at the hospital Juntendo
15:10
The King visits the hospital Juntendo, where the focus will be on strengthening Danish-Japanese cooperation in life science. The King will be introduced to an advanced sensor solution that can predict heart attacks, as well as the welfare robot “Lovot”, which has shown positive effects on the moods of persons with dementia. Both projects involve collaboration with Aalborg University and illustrate the strong research cooperation between Denmark and Japan.

Afterwards, The King takes part in the opening of a life science seminar with the theme “How to create healthier societies by public-private partnerships”. Here, the focus will be on how collaborations between public and private stakeholders can contribute to healthier societies. The King will also attend Novo Nordisk’s announcement of a major expansion of its factory in Japan.

Visit at traditional ramen restaurant in Ginza
16:20
At the end of short walk through Tokyo’s Ginza district, The King visits the ramen restaurant Ippudo. During the visit, The King gets the opportunity to experience authentic everyday Japanese food from a restaurant chain that exclusively uses Danish pork under the brand “Danish”. The King is introduced to a food products collaboration between the restaurant and Danish Crown and is invited into the kitchen, where the chef prepares a traditional Japanese ramen soup with Danish pork.

Reception at the Embassy of Denmark in Tokyo
19:00
At the Embassy of Denmark in Tokyo, The King takes part in an official reception with the participation of ministers and key decision-makers from the Danish and Japanese delegations. The King greets Danes in Tokyo and visits Danish food booths in the embassy’s garden, which will be transformed into a “culinary outpost” with a focus on sustainable gastronomy.

Thursday, 24 April

Welcome reception at World Expo 2025
11:00
The King and the Danish delegation are officially welcomed to World Expo 2025 by the Japanese hosts, and The King signs the guest book.

The World Expo is being held in Osaka from 13 April until 13 October 2025 and has the theme Designing Future Society for Our Lives. The Expo serves as a global platform where countries and organisations can present and exchange innovative solutions to the world’s shared challenges, with special emphasis on sustainability and technological innovation.

The Expo takes place at Yumeshima, an artificial island located in Osaka Bay that serves as a hub for innovation and sustainability.

Official opening of Denmark Day at Expo 2025
11:20
The King gives the opening speech for Denmark Day at Expo 2025 in Osaka. Denmark Day will be marked in National Day Hall, which is designed for holding national days and special events for the official participants. The event gives Danish companies the opportunity to present their innovative solutions to an international audience and strengthen the relationships with Japanese decision-makers and companies.

Official luncheon at Expo 2025
12:15
The King takes part in an official luncheon, in which Danish and Japanese representatives participate.

Guided tour in the Nordic Pavilion at Expo 2025
13:35
The King participates in a guided tour of the joint Nordic Pavilion called Nordic Circle. The pavilion consists of a 1,200 m² and 17-metre-high wooden structure and has been created to present Nordic values and solutions in areas such as green transition, innovation and sustainability. Within the pavilion, there are a joint Nordic exhibition, a shop, a roof terrace with café as well as conference spaces and meeting facilities.

Guided tour in the Japan Pavilion at Expo 2025
14:10
Following the visit in the Nordic Pavilion, The King also takes part in a tour of the Japan Pavilion. The pavilion is designed as a circular structure that integrates sustainable technologies and aims at inspiring visitors to reflect upon the connection between society and nature.

Reception in the Nordic Pavilion at Expo 2025
14:50
The visit at Expo 2025 concludes with a networking reception in the Nordic Pavilion focused on cooperation and Nordic values.

Friday, 25 April

Morning hike in the nature around Ryokan Sekitei
07:20
The day begins with a hike after an overnight stay at a traditional Japanese inn – also called a ryokan. Ryokan Sekitei, where The King will overnight, is characterised by a minimalist lay-out, tatami mats and plain futon mattresses on which to sleep. In addition, the inn is surrounded by a Japanese garden, and the area is known for its hot springs and panoramic view over the Seto Inland Sea and the bay’s many islands.

During the hike The King visits Ōgashira Shrine, located near two waterfalls that symbolize the masculine and the feminine, respectively. They merge into a single river, which has made the temple known as a place that brings luck in love and helps people find a suitable spouse.

Memorial ceremony in Hiroshima
09:30
The King participates in an 80th anniversary commemoration of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The King will lay a wreath at the Hiroshima Victims Memorial Cenotaph – a monument for the many victims bearing the inscription, “Let all the souls here rest in peace, for we shall not repeat the evil.”

Visit at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
09:45
The King takes part in a guided tour of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which documents the tragic consequences of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 80 years ago. The museum displays eyewitness accounts, personal effects of victims, photos and narratives about the after-effects of the bombs.

Visit at Orizuru Tower
10:35
After the visit at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, The King participates in a guided walking tour through Peace Memorial Park with a stop at, among other places, the Atomic Bomb Dome, which is one of the most iconic buildings in Hiroshima. The building’s distinctive dome remained standing after the bombing, and the decision was made to preserve the ruins as a memorial. The Atomic Bomb Dome was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

The tour concludes at the top of Orizuru Tower, where The King receives an origami crane, which is the symbol of peace in Japan.

Investment conference in Tokyo
16:30
The King takes part in an investment conference focused on Japanese companies that want to invest in Denmark. The King gives an opening speech and participates in the initial meeting, which serves as a platform for dialogue about joint strategies for strengthening economic resilience and partnerships through Japanese investments in Denmark. 

Dinner hosted by HM The Emperor of Japan
19:30
The accession visit to Japan concludes with a dinner hosted by HM the Emperor of Japan. The dinner takes place in the Imperial Residence in The Imperial Palace in Tokyo – also called Kōkyo. The palace is located in the centre of Tokyo and is surrounded by large moats and beautiful gardens.