(L-R): Amb Matsubara Tadahiro; Minister Stephanie Obertin; Carlo Thelen, Chamber of Commerce;
Credit: Ali Sahib, Chronicle.lu
On Thursday 12 June 2025, the Ambassador of Japan to Luxembourg, Matsubara Tadahiro, hosted a reception for the delegation of the Luxembourgish Economic Missions to Japan at his residence.
Organised in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce Luxembourg which is organising three trade missions to Japan in 2025, as follows:
- OSAKA 1 “Official Trade Mission to Japan”, a multisectoral mission, which took place from 24 to 31 May 2025, in Tokyo and Osaka.
- OSAKA 2 “Space Mission”, an official trade mission focused on space, taking place from 12 to 18 July 2025, in Tokyo and Osaka.
- OSAKA 3 “Tech & Health Mission”, an official trade mission dedicated to ICT, Fintech, Robotics, AI & Healthcare, taking place from 14 to 19 July 2025, in Osaka and Tokyo.
Around 90 people attended the reception at which Ambassador Matsubara Tadahiro stated that this year has seen a remarkable number of missions from Luxembourg to Japan, including Grand Duke Henri and the Deputy Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, visiting in May. He praised the engagement of the Grand Duke with the Japanese royal family, and also mentioned the celebration of Luxembourg’s national day at the Luxembourg pavilion. He also referred to the upcoming trade mission in July which will be led by Crown Prince Guillaume.
He also mentioned two interesting facts about the Luxembourg pavilion: it was the first to be completed and it is currently the second most visited pavilion, behind France.
Luxembourg’s Minister for Digitalisation and for Research and Higher Education, Stéphanie Obertin, spoke and mentioned that she was looking forward to the mission in July. She talked about the changing world, regarding technological, societal and environmental challenges. She said the opening of the pavilion in May was a great opportunity for Luxembourg to present its openness and diversity.
Carlo Then, Director at Luxembourg’s Chamber of Commerce, referenced the companies participating in the economic missions to Japan, taking in Expo 2025. He talked about the recent mission, during which they managed to meet local and global companies, as well as the upcoming missions. He addressed bilateral cooperation, the Luxembourg pavilion at Expo 2025 and strengthening economic ties with Luxembourg’s second largest trading partner in Asia. He toasted the collaboration between Luxembourg and Japan.
The reception continued with a walking lunch
