Israel’s National Day at Expo Osaka-Kansai was held on Thursday, May 15^th, commemorating the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Japan in 1952. The official ceremony, held at the EXPO National Day Hall and attended by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, featured a live performance by Malabi Tropical themed “A Journey Through the Innovation of Israeli Music.”

Once the Israeli and Japanese delegations had entered, the national anthems of both countries were sung, and their flags raised. The opening remarks were delivered by Hisashi Matsumoto, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan. He emphasized the wealth of knowledge to be gained from Israel’s vibrant culture, innovation in technology, and startups, and expressed the wish to build even stronger ties in economic, cultural, scientific, technological, and innovation sectors.

Next to take the stage was Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who said, “I am honored to participate in Expo Osaka-Kansai and share with friends around the world how Israel, a country with ancient traditions, contributes to various fields through its history and technology.” (Under the theme of “Eternity,” the Israel Pavilion displays a precious stone dating back 2,000 years and a ceramic lamp from 1,700 years ago. While honoring its ancient heritage, Israel leads the world in innovative areas like medicine, cybersecurity, and space exploration.) “For more than 70 years, Israel and Japan have nurtured a relationship based on mutual respect, political dialogue, economic partnership, innovation, and common values. From cultural exchange and business cooperation to scientific and technological advancements, this enduring friendship still shapes the future. We look forward to seeing the bond between our nations grow even tighter.” The Foreign Minister’s heartfelt speech left a strong impression on the guests who filled the hall.

Following the official ceremony, Malabi Tropical — whose performance at the Dubai Expo earned widespread acclaim — performed for the guests. Their vibrant multicultural music blends the soul of Israel with Oriental and Latin rhythms, and captivated guests with a diverse range of styles from tropical to trance. The vibrant live performance, which fused influences from many cultures, was a fitting celebration of the bond between Israel and Japan. 

At Expo Osaka-Kansai, this meaningful National Day became a moment of deeper mutual understanding between Israel and Japan—and a step toward an even stronger partnership in the years ahead.