In an exclusive interview with Diplomat Magazine, H.E. Hiroshi Minami, Ambassador of Japan to the Netherlands, offers his insights into the longstanding and evolving relationship between Japan and the Netherlands. As both nations prepare to celebrate the 425th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2025, Ambassador Minami highlights the strategic importance of their cooperation in areas such as security, advanced technology, and economic growth.
The interview delves into key topics, including the enhanced security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, bolstered by joint exercises between Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Forces and the Dutch navy. Ambassador Minami also discusses the significance of the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 as a platform to further strengthen economic ties, particularly in energy and technology sectors. Additionally, he shares his vision for the future of Japan-Netherlands relations and their collaborative efforts in addressing global challenges, such as the situation in Ukraine and North Korea, through multilateral platforms like NATO.
With a focus on innovation, cultural exchange, and a shared commitment to international security, Japan and the Netherlands continue to demonstrate the depth and resilience of their bilateral relationship.
What is your view of the current relations between Japan and the Netherlands?
For more than 400 years, Japan and the Netherlands have deepened exchanges in various fields, including politics, economics, and culture and have built good relationships.
Building on this foundation, when then-Prime Minister Mark Rutte visited Japan in 2015, it was confirmed that this relationship should be elevated to a “strategic partnership for sustainable peace and prosperity” so that the two countries can promote strategic cooperation in a broad range of areas, including the upholding of the “rule of law,” disarmament and non-proliferation, cybersecurity, and the UN Security Council reform.
Since then, in line with the purpose of this strategic partnership, cooperation has been promoted not only bilaterally but also as like-minded countries sharing common values in the international arena.
In addition, especially in recent years, I feel that our cooperation has been further strengthened under the difficult international environment, with progress also being made in the area of security cooperation, which includes economic security matters. The year 2025 marks the 425th anniversary of Japan-Netherlands bilateral relations and coincides with the Osaka-Kansai Expo.
Cooperation between Japan and the Netherlands in advanced technology and science is also currently underway. I strongly hope that both countries deepen this collaboration to help address various challenges facing the international community.
How has the Japan-Netherlands defence cooperation deepened in terms of the current security environment?
Japan emphasises the importance of strengthening cooperation not only with its allies but also with as many like-minded countries as possible to counter unilateral changes to the status quo by force and to ensure the security of our nation. The Netherlands highlights the importance of cooperating with Asian partners to secure a free and open Indo-Pacific through “Indo-Pacific: Guidelines for strengthening Dutch and EU cooperation with partners in Asia”, aligning mutual interests between Japan and the Netherlands.
Since agreeing to further strengthening relations between defence authorities based on the “Memorandum on Defense Cooperation and Exchanges” signed in 2016, high-level meetings, such as the Japan-Netherlands Defense Ministerial Meeting in June 2024, have further solidified the Japan-Netherlands partnership. The port call of a Royal Netherlands Navy frigate to Japan and the participation of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force as observers in the “Falcon Leap” exercise hosted by the Royal Netherlands Army were steadily deepening unit-level exchanges. Furthermore, cooperation in the cyber domain is progressing to address new threats.
The NATO Summit will be held in The Hague in 2025. How do you assess the current state of Japan – NATO relations?
In the current international security environment, marked by Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and tensions in the Indo-Pacific, there is a growing recognition among NATO members and non-member like-minded countries including Japan that Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security are inseparable and that cooperation among like-minded nations is more important than ever.
The invitation extended to the Indo-Pacific Partners (IP4), consisting of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea, at the last three NATO summits is clear evidence of this recognition.
To further enhance Japan-NATO cooperation, Japan will advance concrete cooperation with NATO based on the Individually Tailored Partnership Programme (ITPP) established last year.
Japan believes it is important to deepen IP4-NATO cooperation and welcomes flagship projects such as IP4’s support for Ukraine.
Amid the current difficult international environment, Japan aims to further enhance exchanges and strengthen cooperations, including in the security field, with NATO as a key partner that unites like-minded countries.
The Osaka-Kansai Expo in, Japan will be held in 2025, how are the preparations going? What is your view on the current economic relationship between Japan and the Netherlands?
We have less than six months until the opening of the Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan. The Dutch Pavilion has cerebrated reaching its highest point, and I understand the construction is progressing steadily. The Japan Pavilion is also beginning to show its full form, and the Expo venue construction is making progress day by day. I think we are now reaching the stage where the preparation of the exhibition contents is becoming the main focus. The preparations for successful business matching among participating countries are also well underway.
Economic relations between Japan and the Netherlands have been very strong. With 700 Japanese companies already based here, the ties are very strong. In addition, many Japanese companies participated in the World Hydrogen Summit held in Rotterdam last May, and I believe that cooperation, particularly in the energy sector, will further deepen. The same goes for cooperation in the field of advanced technologies as well as in terms of economic security. I would like to continue to create an even stronger relationship between our two countries, making use of all opportunities, including the Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
The year 2025 marks the 425th anniversary of Japan-Netherlands relationship. How do you deepen the bilateral relations with this opportunity?
As mentioned above, Japan and the Netherlands have built strong relations across a wide range of areas, including politics, economics, and defence. The significance of our 425-year history serves as the foundation of our bilateral relationship. This anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on our shared journey and work together towards an even stronger partnership for the next 50 to 100 years.
Finally, I would like to highlight the cultural aspect of our relationship. We recently launched a public competition for the 425th anniversary logo design, and in 2025, the Embassy will carry out cultural projects featuring the chosen logo. I have also heard the Dutch side is planning additional cultural projects in Japan in conjunction with Osaka-Kansai Expo. It is essential to promote diverse cultural exchanges between Japan and the Netherlands during these milestone years, and I hope that these efforts will elevate our bilateral relationship to an even higher level.
