Japan Participates in Signing Ceremony for the Japan Pavilion at Expo 2027 Belgrade

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) are preparing for Japan's participation in the 'Expo 2027 Belgrade' (hereinafter referred to as 'Belgrade Expo'), to be held in Belgrade, Republic of Serbia, from May 15 (Sat), 2027, to August 15 (Sun), 2027. On June 10 (Wed), 2026, the official participation agreement was signed at the Participation Contract Signing Ceremony (hereinafter 'Signing Ceremony') held in Belgrade, Republic of Serbia.

■ Japanese Government Joins Signing Ceremony with Serbia’s Minister of Trade

The event was attended by representatives from the Japanese government, Serbian government, international organizations, and media. A formal signing ceremony was conducted by both nations’ representatives, marking a significant milestone in bilateral partnership.

At EXPO2027 PlayGround—the venue for the signing ceremony—Japanese delegates were warmly welcomed by Serbian officials, including Mr. Tatjana Lazarević, Serbia’s Minister of Trade and Government Representative for the Expo. Prior to the ceremony, the delegation received a briefing on the master plan and future construction schedule of the Expo site based on a scale model. They also viewed exhibitions showcasing the Expo’s theme, 'Play for Humanity,' deepening their understanding of initiatives that promote creativity through play and encourage interaction and co-creation among diverse people.

During the signing ceremony, Ms. Sakiko Yoshimura, Japanese Government Commissioner for the 2027 Belgrade International Exposition Exhibition Area, signed the official participation contract with EXPO 2027 d.o.o. Belgrade, the Expo organizer, in the presence of Serbia’s Minister of Trade and Mr. Naohiro Tsutsumi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Serbia.

In a statement to local media, Commissioner Yoshimura announced Japan Pavilion’s theme: 'Playing Together, Connecting Hearts—Japan’s Playful Spirit.' Amid growing global divisions, she emphasized the importance of people collaborating and building the future together through 'Play,' highlighting that play holds the power to transcend divisions and convey universal values relevant to shared human challenges. Mr. Kenichi Shimura, conductor and Japan Pavilion PR Ambassador, also attended, contributing to an atmosphere of anticipation for the upcoming Expo.

The following day, the delegation visited the future Expo site to inspect the planned location of the Japan Pavilion and received further explanations on the overall site layout.

EXPO 2027 d.o.o. Belgrade explained that while site development will take time, construction is progressing steadily according to plan. The Japan Pavilion’s location is particularly advantageous—situated near the VIP entrance, with meeting rooms and event stages nearby—maximizing opportunities for visitor engagement and communication.

Commissioner Yoshimura commented: 'This was my first visit to the Japan Pavilion’s designated site, and I found it to be an excellent location within the venue. Serbia plays a crucial role as an international hub, and we hope not only citizens of Serbia but also visitors from neighboring countries and diverse regions will come to the Japan Pavilion. Under the theme 'Playing Together, Connecting Hearts—Japan’s Playful Spirit,' we aim to offer experiences that connect people to people and people to society through uniquely Japanese culture and play, creating opportunities for many to appreciate its charm.'

EXPO 2027 d.o.o. Belgrade also noted that this Expo marks the first international exposition ever held in Southeast Europe and Serbia. They expressed their intention to leverage insights and best practices from Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, to create a meaningful legacy for both local and international communities. Gratitude was expressed for the cooperation with Japanese government representatives thus far, and expectations were voiced for continued close collaboration between Japan and Serbia toward the success of Expo 2027 Belgrade.

■ Japan Pavilion PR Ambassadors Engage in Cultural Events in Belgrade

Conductor and PR Ambassador Mr. Kenichi Shimura led the Serbian Symphony Orchestra in a special concert at EXPO2027 PlayGround on June 13 (Sat). Additionally, Ms. Sachiko Nakajima will host a Japan-Serbia cultural exchange event on June 15 (Mon), followed by performances of 'Yamamoto Noh Theater x KURAGE Band' at the National Theatre in Belgrade on June 16 (Tue) and 17 (Wed). These events introduced Japanese music and culture to Serbian audiences while promoting the Japan Pavilion. The PR Ambassadors will continue multifaceted promotional activities in both Japan and Serbia.

■ Overview of the Participation Contract Signing Ceremony

Date: June 10 (Wed), 2026, 14:00 (CEST)
Venue: EXPO2027 PlayGround, Belgrade
Organizer: EXPO 2027 d.o.o. Belgrade
Attendees: Japanese and Serbian government officials, media representatives, and others

【Related Links】Announcements from METI and JETRO:

■ Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)

(Japanese) https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2026/06/20260611002/20260611002.html

(English) https://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2026/0611_001.html

■ Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)

(Japanese) http://www.jetro.go.jp/news/releases/2026/9afe66b3f31c13e0.html

(English) https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/news/releases/2026/43d825be6a15425a.html