Sweden will mark its National Day with a full program of official events, cultural highlights, and business dialogue. Sweden’s National Day will be especially distinguished by the attendance of His Majesty the King of Sweden, underscoring the importance of the occasion and the strong ties between Sweden and Japan.
The program will be divided into two parts: a ceremonial morning
program and a forward-looking afternoon session.
In the morning, the National Day Hall will host the official opening
ceremony with the participation of Sweden’s official delegation and
business leaders. The event will begin with the hosting of the Swedish
and Japanese flags, followed by a greeting from a representative of the
Government of Japan and a formal address by His Majesty the King of
Sweden. His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden also attended Expo
1970 in Osaka, and his visit to the upcoming Expo in Osaka will be a truly
memorable and significant occasion.
A newly produced national brand film introducing Sweden will be shown on large screens, followed by a live acoustic performance by celebrated Swedish songwriters Malin Christin and Albin Nordqvist. Their set will feature songs written for Japanese artists, set against a moving visual presentation of Sweden’s landscapes across the four seasons—showcasing both cultural connection and artistic collaboration.
Following the ceremony, a National Day Parade will bring the spirit of Sweden to life as approximately 80 participants, some in traditional Swedish attire, accompanied by instrumental music, depart from the National Day Hall and circle the Expo grounds in a festive procession.
In the afternoon, the focus will shift to innovation and partnership with the Sweden Business Summit. Framed by the theme “Pioneer the Possible,” the summit will explore how Sweden and Japan can collaborate to address global challenges through innovation, sustainability, and strategic cooperation. The event’s vision is to move beyond bilateral exchange and toward pioneering solutions with international impact.
A major highlight will be the keynote address by the Japanese Nobel Laureate Professor Shinya Yamanaka, titled “Shaping Tomorrow: A Nobel Laureate’s Vision for a Bright Future.” Professor Yamanaka will explore how interdisciplinary research and technology can drive meaningful change on a global scale.
The afternoon will also include the presentation of the Pioneer Prize, recognizing outstanding ideas submitted by the general public. The prize will be awarded by Minister Dousa in a ceremony intended to celebrate innovation and cross-cultural inspiration.
In addition to the main program, the Nordic Pavilion will host pop-up events throughout the day in other areas of the venue. The Outer East Stage will transform into a Kids Lounge, where children and families can explore Sweden’s leadership in gaming through hands-on play with Toca Boca games, accompanied by a poster exhibition highlighting Sweden’s long-standing commitment to children’s culture and creativity.
On the West Stage, visitors will be invited to create music using tools from the Swedish company Teenage Engineering, alongside a curated selection from the Swedish Institute’s “Swedish Music Moments” exhibition.
Program Overview
[Morning Program] 10:00–11:00 Sweden National Day Ceremony Location: National Day Hall
•Greeting by a representative of the Government of Japan
•Address by His Majesty the King of Sweden
•Live performances by Malin Christin and Albin Nordqvist
11:00–11:30 Sweden National Day Parade Location: Starts at National Day Hall and circles the Grand Ring
•80 participants, some in traditional Swedish attire (Swedish/Japanese mix)
•Live instrumental music
[Afternoon Program] 14:00–16:00
Sweden Business Summit – "Pioneer the Possible" Location: National Day Hall
•Keynote: Professor Shinya Yamanaka – "Shaping Tomorrow: A Nobel Laureate’s Vision for a Bright Future"
•Panel discussions with Swedish and Japanese leaders
•Pioneer Prize Award Ceremony presented by Minister Dousa
Q&A by Minister Dousa
[All Day Pop-Up Stages] Outer East – Kid’s Lounge
•Interactive play with Toca Boca games
•Poster exhibition on Sweden’s children's literature and cultural heritage
West – Music Stage
•Hands-on music creation with Teenage Engineering tech
•Poster highlights from “Swedish Music Moments”