H.K.H. Kronprinsessans tal vid Sweden-Japan Sustainability Summit

First, I would like to congratulate Japan on receiving, not only one but two, Nobel prizes this year – so far!

This year’s laureate in Physiology or Medicine, Shimon Sakaguchi, is of course a professor from Osaka University. Fantastic!

These achievements highlight Japan’s strong tradition of science and innovation, which is also reflected at Expo 2025 here in Osaka.

Since April, this world exhibition has provided an important platform for Sweden to strengthen the bilateral ties with Japan. I want to thank our Japanese hosts for successfully organising the Expo, bringing together partners committed to sustainable growth and innovation.

In May, my father, His Majesty the King, attended the National Day for Sweden at the Expo, together with the largest Swedish business delegation ever to visit Japan.

During the last six months, sustainability and innovation have been the underlying theme for all Sweden’s activities at the Expo. Ending with the Sustainability Summit is no coincidence – it underlines our long-term cooperation with Japan and the Kansai region.

A lasting memory from this Expo is the commitment to nature, as portrayed in the Japanese pavilion that I visited earlier today, and the conviction that technology will help us overcome many of the challenges we are facing.

I was also encouraged to meet Japanese students at the UN pavilion and to see their work related to the Sustainability Goals. Their commitment gave me hope and is a reminder that the next generation expects urgent action from us today.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Japan has a rich tradition of living in harmony with its landscapes and seascapes. I understand that your language even has words for this relationship – satoyama and satoumi.

What has been inspiring to me is seeing the industry take the lead in making positive changes. One such example is SeaBOS, which I have been able to follow closely. SeaBOS is an industry coalition initiated by Swedish scientists with the aim of helping seafood companies become leaders in ocean stewardship.

It is truly inspiring to see what we can achieve when we collaborate and bring together diverse expertise in goal-oriented efforts to strengthen ocean health. Japanese companies have certainly been a positive driving force, contributing to meaningful change. Together, the companies in SeaBOS have reduced CO₂ emissions, lowered antibiotic use and shared sensitive data with scientists.

Just as SeaBOS demonstrates how science and industry can join forces to achieve sustainability, Sweden’s green transition is built on the same foundation: collaboration, innovation and a commitment to both people and the planet. Our industry is making significant investments in fossil-free production, and global demand for these products is growing rapidly.

Two examples of Swedish companies committed to being part of the green transition here in Japan are AstraZeneca and Tetra Pak. AstraZeneca is striving to achieve net-zero emissions in the health care sector, while Tetra Pak has been working closely with Japanese local governments on packaging recycling.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The people of our two countries share a respect for nature and a commitment to fact-based innovation.

Together, we have the potential to be global leaders in building a sustainable future. Each of you gathered here at the Sweden-Japan Sustainability Summit is part of that journey, and your leadership - today and in the future - has never been more important.

Thank you.