Trade missions hydrogen and wind energy in Osaka, Japan
In September 2025, Rotterdam Partners joined two trade missions to the World Expo in Osaka, Japan. With a focus on energy, circularity, and offshore wind, the missions strengthened Rotterdam–Japan ties and created new business opportunities for companies from the Rotterdam region.
Reinforcing Dutch-Japanese relations
The Netherlands and Japan share a long-standing relationship built on trade, knowledge exchange, and cultural collaboration. Dutch expertise in water management, climate adaptation, and energy transition aligns closely with Japan’s innovation ambitions. Rotterdam, as Europe’s gateway port for Japanese trade and a center for sustainable and innovative solutions, played a central role in strengthening these ties.
Rotterdam-Japan Club Networking Reception in Tokyo
During the mission, the Rotterdam delegation, alongside outgoing Minister of Climate and Green Growth Sophie Hermans and Mayor Carola Schouten, visited Japanese investors, explored potential innovation collaborations, and engaged in cultural and academic exchanges. These interactions highlighted how sister city partnerships and networks between universities and companies continue to reinforce forward-looking Dutch–Japanese cooperation.
Mission highlights
The missions in Osaka showcased the growing collaboration between the Netherlands and Japan on energy, circularity, and sustainability. Bringing together leading companies, experts, and policymakers, the program facilitated knowledge exchange, innovation, and the creation of long-term business networks. Highlights included:
- High-level round table sessions on hydrogen and offshore wind
- Panel discussions addressing energy transition and circularity
- Visits to Japanese companies active in the Netherlands
More than 40 Dutch companies, including 17 from the Rotterdam region, participated. The delegation featured Ampelmann Operations, Boskalis, City of Rotterdam, DMEC, DNV, Green Energy Park Global, GustoMSC, Hyer Power, Port of Rotterdam, Primo Marine, Royal Vopak, SeaHiker, SwitcH2, TU Delft, TNO, Van Dorp and Van Oord.
Moments during the hydrogen and wind energy trade missions in Japan
Expectations exceeded. Great organization and the opportunity to make many new connections while stepping out of my comfort zone.
First-hand perspectives on the missions
Participant feedback highlighted the value of the mission:
- Peter Brun, DNV: “This mission has been great. It’s important to attend these types of events since new pieces of the supply chain puzzle fall into place and you get a better understanding of the current international market.”
- Sander Karis, Nautikaris: “Expectations exceeded. Great organization and the opportunity to make many new connections while stepping out of my comfort zone.”
- Erik Bertholet, Groningen Seaports: “Japan has big ambitions and even bigger challenges; challenges for which the Netherlands can offer great solutions.”
- An Hoefnagels, SeaHiker: “As SeaHiker, this trade mission was very useful. With the support of the government, including Mayor Schouten, doors open more quickly that would otherwise remain closed for a startup like SeaHiker. We met many potential development partners and customers who will be very valuable in the long term, and we learned a lot about Japanese developments in offshore wind. We will definitely join again next time.”
