Grand Duke Henri Travels to Japan for Working Visit

The Maison du Grand-Duc has reported that from Tuesday 27 May to Sunday 1 June 2025, Grand Duke Henri travelled to Japan for a working visit and to mark Luxembourg Day at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

According to the report, Grand Duke Henri was joined by Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, and Minister of Defence, Minister of Mobility and Public Works and Minister of Gender Equality and Diversity, Yuriko Backes. 

To honour the occasion, their majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan hosted Grand Duke Henri for a dinner at the Imperial Palace, which was also attended by Her Imperial Highness Princess Aiko.

In Tokyo, Grand Duke Henri and Minister Backes met with Japanese Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba and discussed strengthening bilateral ties ahead of the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Luxembourg and Japan in 2027.

While in the capital, the delegation explored teamLab, an immersive digital art exhibition. They also toured the Yoyogi National Gymnasium, an architectural landmark built for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, which holds national heritage status.

On Luxembourg Day (Friday 30 May 2025) in Osaka, Grand Duke Henri, Deputy Prime Minister Bettel and Minister Backes attended the official reception, which brought together Japanese and Luxembourgish business leaders, institutional representatives and members of the Luxembourg Pavilion team.

In his speech, Grand Duke Henri highlighted the strong ties between Luxembourg and Japan and praised the significant economic delegation gathered by the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce. He also expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Luxembourg Expo 2025 team, who delivered the Luxembourg Pavilion which he visited the following day.

The official ceremony began with the raising of the Luxembourgish and Japanese flags, followed by the playing of both national anthems and a formal address by Grand Duke Henri.

Later, during a reception at the Luxembourg Pavilion, Grand Duke Henri met with members of the Luxembourg community in Osaka, reinforcing the connection with citizens abroad.

The day concluded with a performance titled “Echoes of Tomorrow”, featuring internationally acclaimed Luxembourgish artists: pianist Francesco Tristano; xylophonist Pascal Schumacher; dancer Jill Crovisier; and Japanese dancer Maika Fujii.

According to the Maison du Grand-Duc, throughout the visit, Grand Duke Henri also toured national pavilions from Japan, Saudi Arabia (host of the next World Expo in Riyadh in 2030), Singapore, Ukraine, India, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France.

Before returning to Luxembourg, Grand Duke Henri met with several Japanese business leaders and Luxembourg’s honorary consuls in Tokyo and Osaka, thanking them for their dedication to building strong ties with Luxembourg.

The visit concluded on Sunday 1 June 2025 with a cultural and historical tour of Kyoto.