Since its inception in 1997, the Japan Festival Nederland in Amstelveen has grown into one of the most important Dutch-Japanese cultural exchange events in the Netherlands. As a result, the festival attracts visitors from all over the Netherlands and even abroad. Since 2016, the festival is organized annually by the Stichting Japan Festival (Japan Festival Foundation), a non-profit organization that aims to strengthen the ties between the Japanese and Dutch communities.

I myself have been working in the Netherlands since 2013 as a representative of a Japanese television company. On many occasions, I have had the privilege of experiencing Dutch culture, full of creativity and innovations. At the same time, in my role in the media industry I have tried to help forge ties between the Netherlands and Japan. The Japan Festival is such a great opportunity to remind us of the historical bond between the two countries. This is especially true next year because 2025 will mark the 425th anniversary of the relations between Japan and the Netherlands. Needless to say, the Japan Festival will not let this milestone go unnoticed.

In 2025 the festival is scheduled to take place on Sunday 29 June in the center of Amstelveen (Stadshart). By organizing the Japan Festival 2025 we hope to keep the momentum created over the past years and to further strengthen the ties between Japan and the Netherlands. And we would like to share with you the joy of being connected and a feeling of affinity through this festival.

On behalf of the board of the Japan Festival,

With warm regards,

Yuko Fuse
Chairman of the Japan Festival Foundation