Embassy of Japan in the Netherlands

02/09/2026

On September 1st, Mr. NAKANO Daisuke, Chargé d'affaires ad interim of the Embassy, attended the opening reception of the 36th European Association of Japanese Resource Specialists (EAJRS) Conference at Leiden University (LU). https://www.eajrs.net/

We highly appreciate the academia's continuous dedication to the EAJRS and LU's efforts to host this annual conference as a part of the LU’s Japan Year program as well as those involved starting from EAJRS Chair, Professor Vande Walle, LU’s President of the Executive Board, Professor Sels, Library Director de Belder, etc.

The Embassy of Japan (EOJ) wishes this conference continued success and smooth progress.

The Japan Foundation is supporting this conference this year.

01/09/2026

🇯🇵 Meeting with the 2026 MEXT Scholarship Recipients

On 31 August, three recipients of the 2026 MEXT Scholarship visited the Embassy for an orientation meeting ahead of their departure for Japan.

During the meeting with Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Nakano and members of the Cultural Section, the students shared their academic aspirations and plans for their time in Japan. They also received information and practical guidance on studying and living in Japan.

The Embassy wishes all three students every success with their studies and research in Japan and hopes they will have a rewarding experience during their time there!

The MEXT Scholarship, offered by the Government of Japan, provides opportunities to pursue undergraduate and graduate studies and research in Japan. For more information, please visit the official Study in Japan website:

https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/scholarships/mext-scholarships/

31/08/2026

On 30 August, Ambassador MICHII visited the J-Dream Cup 2026, an annual football tournament among teams from Japan-related companies, held in Amstelveen.

This year marked the 19th edition of the tournament with 24 teams. The event features a unique rule: in every match, all teams are required to include both Japanese and non-Japanese players (Dutch players and/or players from other countries) on the field. This rule aims to promote communication and strengthen connections between Japanese and local staff within participating companies.

This year, Alderman Floor Gordon also visited the tournament. Both the ambassador and the alderman highlighted the power of sport to bring people together, while celebrating the tournament as a wonderful example of multicultural exchange through sport.

Football is one of the most popular sports in both Japan and the Netherlands, and a number of Japanese footballers now compete in the Eredivisie and the Vrouwen Eredivisie. We are delighted that the J-Dream Cup has been strengthening ties between our two countries through sports for the past 19 years.

Congratulations to all the prize-winning teams!
We also commend all the teams for their outstanding efforts!
Finally, we would like to express our gratitude to the organizers, staff, and Japanese female footballers who supported the event.

31/08/2026

🇯🇵🇳🇱 A memorable Hockey World Cup for Japan and the Netherlands

After two exciting weeks of international hockey, the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium Netherlands 2026 has come to an end. We look back with great appreciation on the efforts of the Japanese and Dutch men’s and women’s national teams throughout the tournament.

Final results:
🇯🇵 Sakura Japan (Women): 11th place
🇯🇵 Samurai Japan (Men): 14th place
🇳🇱 Oranje Dames (Women): 2nd place
🇳🇱 Oranje Heren (Men): 4th place

It was particularly special to see Japan and the Netherlands face each other here in Amstelveen in both the women’s and men’s competitions. We commend all four teams for their determination and sportsmanship, and for the many memorable moments they gave hockey fans throughout the tournament.

A special recognition goes to the Oranje Dames, who reached the World Cup final and finished the tournament with a silver medal. 🥈🇳🇱

For Japan, the focus now turns to the next international challenge. We wish Sakura Japan and Samurai Japan every success at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games this September and look forward to seeing them back in action! 🇯🇵

Thank you to all four teams for a memorable World Cup!

More about the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium Netherlands 2026:
https://www.fih.hockey/events/fih-hockey-worldcup-belgium-netherlands-2026

FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium Netherlands 2026

26/08/2026

📚 New addition to our Cultural Library!
100 Manga Artists – 45th Ed. by Masanao Amano and Julius Wiedemann is now available to borrow.

This richly illustrated volume explores the diverse and imaginative world of Japanese manga through the work of 100 artists. From influential masters to contemporary creators, the book showcases a wide range of artistic styles, genres, and stories that demonstrate the creativity and global appeal of manga.

Visit the Cultural Centre of the Embassy of Japan to discover this and many other fascinating publications about Japan. 🇯🇵

21/08/2026

🇯🇵🇳🇱 Another great match between Japan and the Netherlands!

Samurai Japan (Japan Men’s Hockey Team) and Oranje Heren (Netherlands Men’s Hockey Team) faced each other on 20 August at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 in Amstelveen, following the women’s Japan–Netherlands encounter the day before.

We warmly congratulate both teams on a great performance and their determination and sportsmanship throughout the match. It was especially wonderful to see the men’s and women’s teams of Japan and the Netherlands meet on consecutive days in Amstelveen, creating two memorable sporting encounters between our countries.

Samurai Japan’s World Cup journey continues, and we wish them every success in their next match on 22/8 at 13:00!

Follow the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium Netherlands 2026:
https://www.fih.hockey/events/fih-hockey-worldcup-belgium-netherlands-2026

20/08/2026

🇯🇵🇳🇱 A great match between Japan and the Netherlands!

Sakura Japan (Japan Women’s Hockey Team) and Oranje Dames (Netherlands Women’s Hockey Team) faced each other on 19 August at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 in Amstelveen, with both women’s teams giving their all on the world stage.

We warmly congratulate both teams on a great performance and their determination and sportsmanship throughout the match. It was especially wonderful to see Japan and the Netherlands meet here in Amstelveen and add another memorable sporting encounter to the close ties between our two countries.

Sakura Japan’s World Cup journey continues!
Next match will be held at 9:30 on 21 August in Amstelveen.
We wish the Sakura Japan every success in their next match!

Follow the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium Netherlands 2026:
https://www.fih.hockey/events/fih-hockey-worldcup-belgium-netherlands-2026

20/08/2026

On the 19th of August, the Embassy of Japan was pleased to hold an educational presentation on the diplomatic policy of Japan for students of Leiden University’s Campus The Hague as part of the Hague Orientation Programme (HOP) .

Students from a range of international and public affairs-related disciplines came together to learn about Japan’s foreign policy, the role and tasks of a Japanese diplomat and the importance of the bilateral relationship between Japan and the Netherlands.

The educational presentation concluded with a Q&A session during which the students raised thoughtful questions. The discussion offered a glimpse into how approaches to cultural work can vary between Japan and the Netherlands, which was met with genuine interest from the students. The exchange highlighted how diplomacy extends beyond policy to include the people, perspectives and cultural understanding that connect Japan and the Netherlands.

We wish the students the best of luck on their academic journey at Leiden University!

18/08/2026

🎬 Discover the world of Kabuki before watching Kokuho! 🇯🇵

On 20 August, the acclaimed Japanese film Kokuho arrives in Dutch cinemas. Set in the world of Kabuki, the film follows the lives of actors devoted to mastering one of Japan’s most iconic traditional performing arts.

Curious about the film? Dutch film website FilmTotaal takes a closer look at Kokuho and its international acclaim:
https://www.filmtotaal.nl/nieuws/130815

🎭 Want to learn more about Kabuki before seeing the film?

There are plenty of useful resources for exploring this fascinating performing art and the world behind Kokuho! (make sure to toggle to English in the upper-right corners)

Discover the world of Kabuki

Start with Web Japan’s illustrated introduction to the history, actors, performances, costumes, makeup, and music of Kabuki:

https://web-japan.org/factsheet/en/pdf/e30_kabuki.pdf

New to Kabuki?
Kabuki for Beginners introduces its characters, acting styles, makeup, history, and more: https://www2.ntj.jac.go.jp/dglib/contents/learn/edc25/jp/index.html

Want to explore further?
Invitation to Kabuki offers a more comprehensive introduction to Kabuki’s history, stage, music, performances, and traditions:
https://www2.ntj.jac.go.jp/unesco/kabuki/jp/

Planning to experience Kabuki in Japan?
KABUKI WEB provides English-language information about performances, theatres, tickets, and tips for enjoying Kabuki:
https://www.kabukiweb.net/

Explore the resources, discover the fascinating traditions of Kabuki, and enjoy Kokuho with a little more background when it arrives in Dutch cinemas on 20 August! 🇯🇵🎭

17/08/2026

🎌 The Embassy of Japan at the Embassy Festival 2026 🎌

We're excited to join this year's festival, where you can ‘Travel the world in one day’. Be sure to stop by our Japan booth on your journey!

Come visit us to play Kendama, or make your own origami creation. Taking part in the Embassy Festival’s free activity passport? Collect our unique Japan themed stamp at our booth!

And of course, feel free to ask any Japan related questions.

We look forward to seeing you at our booth!

📍 Lange Voorhout, The Hague
📆 5 September 2026 (Sat) 12:00 – 20:00
For more info, visit https://www.embassyfestival.com/activities/japan