Dutch companies and knowledge institutions have entered into strategic partnerships in Japan in the field of semiconductors, quantum technology and 6G networks. Under the leadership of Minister Dirk Beljaarts (Economic Affairs), more than 70 Dutch companies and institutions from the high-tech and digitalisation sector travelled to Japan. During the mission, organisations signed various agreements with leading Japanese partners in the presence of His Majesty the King and the minister.
For entrepreneurs in technology and manufacturing, this offers new opportunities in one of the most advanced markets in the world. During the mission, they made the following agreements, among others:
- TNO & XG Mobile Promotion Forum (XGMF): an agreement focused on cooperation in industrial wireless communication and the development of 5G and 6G technology. Both parties want to jointly build a global ecosystem for future mobile internet.
- The Japanese Fujitsu announced that the Advanced Computing Lab Delft, at QuTech at Delft University of Technology, is expanding to promote the development of quantum applications.
- Quantum Delta NL & AIST (Japan's national research institute): an agreement to strengthen long-term cooperation on quantum technology and to develop an international ecosystem for quantum innovation.
These agreements strengthen the technological cooperation between the Netherlands and Japan. Minister Beljaarts emphasizes the importance of this:
The Netherlands is a valuable partner for Japan in high-tech: we bring important technology, such as chip machines and smart digital solutions, while Japan excels in high-quality production and advanced materials. By working together, we create new opportunities for Dutch entrepreneurs in this important growth market.
Strong Dutch-Japanese partnership in high-tech
In 2024, Dutch exports to Japan amounted to more than €6.3 billion, with the export of high-tech goods, such as production equipment for semiconductors, forming an important part of this. There are 800 Japanese companies based in the Netherlands, the majority of which are active in the HTSM sector (High Tech Systems and Materials).
Expo 2025 Osaka
The economic mission took place around the Dutch national day during the Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai. The Expo is the 36th world exhibition and has the theme ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives’. The Netherlands presented itself at the Expo as an innovative, sustainable and technologically leading partner. The Expo functioned as an international networking platform and showcase for the Dutch innovative capacity.
