For nearly 240 years, the Netherlands was the only European country permitted to
trade directly with Japan. At Expo 2025 in Osaka this week, we are celebrating 425
years of relations with Japan as part of a Dutch delegation that includes King Willem-
Alexander (in the second photo) of the Netherlands.
Ralph Stassen, Chief Commercial Officer at Hittech Group and featured in the third
photo during his presentation, is part of this delegation and is excited about the
opportunities to strengthen ties and expand relations in the Japanese semiconductor
industry.
Ralph: “Innovation from the Netherlands is highly valued in Japan, which our
delegation experienced during company visits in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto this week.
Japan and the Netherlands are two countries that have much to offer in the
semiconductor industry. We have much in common, and it’s not for nothing that
‘Common Ground’ is the theme of the Dutch at Expo 2025.”
