Outstanding functions

The Japan Sweden Society had its 90th Anniversary on November 18th, 2019.

At the Ceremony, Vice President, both Mr. Nils Hornmark and Mr. Shinji Fukukawa were given the appreciation Diploma for their long time services to the society as well as Mrs. Etsuko Hattori (an Honorary Member) for her Long time contribution to the society.

T.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia arrived in Tokyo on April 13, 1980, for a six-day state visit. On behalf of the Society, President Matsui presented a Kyoto doll to the King and Queen at the Swedish Embassy.
On the occasion of the retirement of H.I.H. Princess Chichibu, Patroness of the Society since 1953, a formal dinner was held on April 27, 1981, at the Miyako Hotel Tokyo, to express the sincere appreciation of the Society.
On May 26, 1981, a reception was held at the Hotel Okura in honor of H.I.H. Prince Masahito Hitachi, who graciously accepted the position as Patron of the Society. Also, at this reception, the Society presented a gift of pottery to H.E. Ambassador Bengt Odevall, who was to leave Japan in order to serve his new capacity as Ambassador to Switzerland.
Dr. Kenichi Fukui, who was awarded the 1981 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, agreed to be an Honorary Member of the Society. The 1981 Annual Dinner Party of the Society was held on February 4, 1982, and Dr. Fukui delivered an excellent speech on his wonderful experience of winning the Nobel Prize.
In May 1983, T.I.H. Prince Hitachi, Patron of the Society, and Princess Hitachi, paid an auspicious visit to the Kingdoms of Sweden and Denmark. To commemorate their visit, the Society held a reception on July 25, 1983, with the co-sponsorship of the Japan-Denmark Society.
H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf arrived in Tokyo in March 1985 for an eight-day visit as an official guest for Expo ’85 in Tsukuba. He graciously attended the Swedish National Day Ceremony at Tsukuba Expo on March 29. On this auspicious occasion, the Society organized a tour and one hundred members and their families participated in this ceremony.
H.M. Queen Silvia, accompanied by a delegation of the Nobel Foundation, enjoyed a six-day tour to Kyoto and Tokyo. On November 13, 1985, an informal tea party was held at the Swedish Ambassador’s Residence, with the gracious presence of H.M. the Queen. President Matsui and Vice-President Hattori were invited to the party and they had the opportunity to present a gift from the Society to the Queen.
The Swedish Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Gunnar Lonaeus, Honorary President of the Society, left Japan in September 1986, after five years of service. The Society presented wrist watches as gifts to the Ambassador and Mrs. Lonaeus to express gratitude for their support.
H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf paid an unofficial visit to Japan from October 31 to November 6, 1987, to participate in the “Scandinavian Today”, a celebration of contemporary Scandinavian culture. He graciously attended various events, and President Hattori was honored to be invited to attend the reception in the presence of H.M. the King, on November 1, 1987, at the Hotel Okura.
In recognition of the exemplary role played by Mr. Akira Matsui, who served as President of the Society from 1974 to 1987, the Society printed a booklet of the impressive speeches which he delivered at the Society’s functions while he was President. In April 1988, the Society distributed this publication to the members.
T.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia paid a three-day visit to Tokyo to attend the State Funeral of the late Showa Emperor on February 24, 1989. President Hattori was invited to a luncheon at the Swedish Ambassador’s Residence on February 25, where he had the honor of presenting a gift from the Society to the King and Queen.
A reception in honor of H.E. Mr. Yutaka Nomura was held at the Palace Hotel on December 1, 1989, in conjuction with the 60th anniversary of the Society. Ambassador Nomura, who served for two and half years as the Japanese Ambassador to Sweden and returned to Tokyo in October 1989, made a speech about his memories and experiences in Sweden. Among the 90 attending guests were H.E. the Swedish Ambassador and Mrs. Ove F. Heyman, Mr. Naoki Tanaka, Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Mrs. Tanaka, and Professor Staffan Burenstam Linder, President of the Stockholm School of Economics, who happened to be in Japan, leading a group of ten Professors from his school to exchange ideas with Japanese scholars and businessmen.
To commemorate the 120th anniversary of the birth of Mr. Ginjiro Fujihara, the Oji Paper Company, of which Mr. Fujihara served as President, sponsored the project of rebuilding the Japanese tea ceremony house “Zui-ki-tei”* with the co-sponsorship of the Oji Paper Company’s three sister companies, Jujo, Honshu and Kanzaki, as well as Gadelius K.K. On December 4, 1989, an unveiling ceremony of the temporarily rebuilt “Zui-ki-tei” was held with the gracious attendance of T.I.H. Prince and Princess Hitachi and H.I.H. Princess Chichibu, at the “Oyu-so” (a guest house of Oji Paper). President Hattori, Former President Matsui and other prominent members of the Society were invited to this memorable function. “Zui-ki-tei” was dismantled, crated and transported to Yokohama for shipment to Sweden, and the re-erection of the house was completed in May. An unveiling ceremony in the Royal Ethnographical Museum was held on May 28, 1990, with the auspicious attendance of Princess Christina.
H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf paid an unofficial visit to Japan from March 16 to 27, 1990. The King arrived in Sapporo on March 16, accompanied by the Royal Swedish Industry and Technology Mission to Japan 1990, which was composed of leading representatives from the Swedish industry, government and scientific communities. One of the highlights of his Japan visit was attendance at the 10th International Asahikawa Vasa Ski Competition in Hokkaido on March 21. On March 24, President Hattori organized a dinner in honor of H.M. the King at the Club Kanto in Tokyo with the attendance of representatives of the companies which his mission visited during their stay in Tokyo from March 21 to 25.
T.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia paid an official visit to Japan to attend the enthronement ceremony of the Emperor on November 12, 1990. President Hattori was granted the honor of presenting a gift from the Society to the King and Queen through the courteous arrangements of H.E. Mr. Ove F. Heyman.
Mr. Taro Gadelius, Honorary Member of the Society, celebrated his 77th birthday in August 1990 and in addition, he was graciously decorated with the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, by the Japanese Government as of November 3, 1990. In order to commemorate his two joyous occasions, the Society held a dinner party on November 26, 1990, at the Hotel Okura, with the auspicious attendance of T.I.H. Prince and Princess Hitachi.
Following speeches made by President Hattori and H.E. Ambassador Heyman, Mrs. Heyman presented a gift from the Society to Mr. Taro Gadelius. Mr. Gadelius made a return speech in which he expressed his gratitude to all the attendees. A buffet party began with a toast by Mr. Göran Holmquist, Vice President of the Society, and more than one hundred members and guests celebrated Mr. Gadelius.
President Hattori was presented with the Commander First Class of the Royal Order of the Polar Star on February 7, 1991, at the residence of the Swedish Ambassador. The award was given in recognition of President Hattori’s contribution to the promotion of cultural exchange and friendship between Sweden and Japan, and was presented by H.E. Mr. Ove F. Heyman. On February 14, President and Mrs. Hattori had the honor of being invited by T.M. the King and Queen of Sweden, to an official dinner at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.
H.E. Mr. Ingvar Carlsson, Prime Minister of Sweden, paid a one-week official visit to Tokyo from March 16 to 22, 1991, accompanied by a delegation of prominent Swedish government officials.
On March 18, President Hattori organized a luncheon in honor of H.E. the Prime Minister at the Hotel Okura. Luncheon guests included H.E. Mr. Ove F. Heyman, H.E. Mr. Yasushi Murazumi, the Japanese Ambassador to Sweden, and some highly influential business leaders of Japanese industry. President Hattori had the honor of presenting a gift from the Society to the Prime Minister.
The inauguration ceremony for the new Swedish Embassy building in Tokyo was held with the attendance of Swedish Prime Minister Ingvar Carlsson on March 19, 1991, at the new Embassy. President Hattori and other prominent members of the Japan-Sweden Society attended this ceremony.
The Society held a cocktail party to commemorate the opening of the new Embassy building in Tokyo on March 26, 1991, through the courtesy of H.E. Mr. Ove F. Heyman. Among the 150 guests were T.I.H. Prince and Princess Hitachi, H.E. the Swedish Ambassador and Mrs. Heyman and Mr. Mats Hulth, Mayor of the City of Stockholm, as well as other members of the delegation from the City of Stockholm visiting Japan from March 25 to 28. To congratulate the completion of the new Embassy building, the Society presented a custom built clock to be installed in the Embassy auditorium.
The Society held a farewell reception in honor of H.E. Ambassador and Mrs. Ove F. Heyman on December 17, 1991, at the Hotel Okura, with the auspicious attendance of T.I.H. Prince and Princess Hitachi.
Ambassador Heyman commenced his assignment in October 1986, serving in Japan as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden for more than five years. A buffet party began with a toast proposed by Former President Matsui as one hundred and thirty members and their guests continued to enjoy this most pleasant winter evening.
H.E. Ambassador Magnus Vahlquist arrived in Tokyo in February 1992 to succeed H.E. Mr. Ove F. Heyman and presented his Credentials on March 30, 1992. The Society held a welcome reception in honor of H.E. Ambassador and Mrs. Vahlquist on June 30, 1992, at the Palace Hotel.
H.E. Mr. Ulf Dinkelspiel, Swedish Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade, visited Japan in February 1992. During his five day stay, Minister Dinkelspiel had a busy schedule meeting Japanese business executives. President Hattori, Director Yamashita and Director Kawarabayashi had a discussion with him at the Hotel Okura on February 22.
H.E. Mr. Per Westerberg, Swedish Minister of Industry and Commerce, paid a two day visit to Tokyo in June 1992. President Hattori had the opportunity of exchanging views with Minister Westerberg at the dinner hosted by H.E. Ambassador Vahlquist on June 12.
The Swedish Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (SCCJ) was officially inaugurated to promote the development of commerce between Japan and Sweden in September 1992. The first General Meeting was held on September 17 at the Royal Swedish Embassy, followed by a buffet party. Many members of the Society were invited to the party and congratulated on the establishment of a new Swedish Japanese organization. On behalf of the Society, President Hattori delivered a congratulatory speech. Mr. Nils Hornmark, who has rendered a great deal of efforts and assistance to establish the SCCJ, serves as the first SCCJ President.
The European Institute of Japanese Studies (EIJS) at the Stockholm School of Economics was established in September 1992, to be a major center of excellence in research and education on the Japanese economy and business, and its impact on the world economy, particularly in regard to Euro- Japanese relations.
The inauguration ceremony was held at the Stockholm School of Economics on September 25. It was inaugurated by H.R.H. Prince Bertil, with a speech given by Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, with a message from Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa conveyed by H.E. the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Naohiro Kumagai, in the presence of leading Japanese and Swedish government officials, businessmen and academics, including President Hattori, Director Hornmark, Director Ishii, Director Yamashita and members of the Society. The EIJS has been created on the basis of an endowment from Japanese corporations and individuals including the Society’s members, and from the Swedish government and private corporations. Professor Staffan Burenstam Linder, President of the Stockholm School of Economics, former Swedish Minister for Foreign Trade, serves as Chairman of the Board of the EIJS, and Professor Jean-Pierre Lehmann serves as its first Director. President Hattori and Director Yamashita are among the members of the EIJS’s Advisory Board.
On the occasion of the inauguration of the EIJS, President Hattori, Director Ishii, Director Yamashita and Mr. Yotaro Kobayashi, Member of the Society, were given an audience by H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf on September 24. H.M. the King expressed his appreciation for the Japanese cooperation and interest in regard to the establishment of the EIJS.
President Hattori was awarded the Honorary Doctorate from the Stockholm School of Economics on September 25, 1992, in recognition of his meritorious contribution towards the fundraising for the European Institute of Japanese Studies. The doctoral award ceremony which is held every two years was presided in a very scholarly and solemn atmosphere with the gracious attendance of Princess Christina and more than two hundred Swedish and Japanese dignitaries.
President Hattori and Director Ishii were invited to the reception of the Sweden-Japan Society on September 23, 1992. Mr. Nils Aström, Chairman of the Society, introduced President Hattori to more than one hundred members and their guests, including our Society’s former Honorary President Ove Heyman, former Vice President Göran Holmquist and Honorary Member Taro Gadelius.
H.E. Mr. Carl Bildt, Prime Minister of Sweden, paid a six day official visit to Tokyo from April 8 to 13, 1993, to attend the International Democrat Union Conference. H.E. Mr. Bo Lundgrean, Minister for Fiscal and Financial Affairs, Baroness Margaretha af Ugglas, Swedish Foreign Minister, Mr. Bengt Dennis, Governor of Bank of Sweden, and many other Swedish dignitaries visited Tokyo in spring 1993.
Princess Christina Mrs. Magnuson and Mr. Tord Magnuson, accompanied by several executive members of the Sweden- Japan Society, visited Tokyo in October 1993. 21 years had passed since Princess Christina’s last visit to Tokyo in 1971. On October 7, the Society held a welcoming dinner party in her honor at the Hotel Okura with the gracious attendance of T.I.H. Prince and Princess Hitachi. Among the 116 party guests were, H.E. Ambassador and Mrs. Magnus Vahlquist, Ambassador Andreas Van Agt, Professor and Mrs. Gunnar Hambraeus, Ambassador and Mrs. Gunnar Lonaeus, and chairman Nils Aström and officers of the Sweden-Japan Society.
Mr. Akira Matsui, Former President of the Japan-Sweden Society, passed away on April 29, 1994, and Mr. Isamu Yamashita, who had served as Director for many years, also passed away on May 6, 1994. President Hattori and many other members of the Society attended the funerals to pay their last respects.
Director Masaru Ishii was presented with the Commander First Class of the Royal Order of the Polar Star by H.E. Mr. Magnus Vahlquist on July 4, 1994, at the Ambassador’s residence. The award was given in recognition of his meritorious contribution towards the promotion of the friendly relations between Sweden and Japan, particularly the establishment of the European Institute of Japanese Studies (EIJS) at the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE).
Mr. Kenzaburo Oe was awarded the 1994 Nobel Literature Prize. He is the eighth Japanese to be awarded a Novel Prize and the second to be awarded one for Literature. He attended the Awarding Ceremony on December 10, 1994, in Stockholm and delived an impressive speech titled “Japan, the Ambiguous, and myself”.
Mr. Ichiro Yano, former President of the Society, passed away on April 17, 1995. During his Presidency from 1966 to 1974, he greatly contributed towards the development of the Society. President Hattori delivered a message of condolences at the funeral service on May 30.
H.I.H. Princess Chichibu, who, as Patroness of the Society from 1953 to 1981, rendered great assistance to the Society’s activities, passed away on August 25, 1995. On behalf of President Hattori and the Society, Managing Director Nosé attended the funeral on August 31, 1995.
Mr. Taro Gadelius, an Honorary Member who served the Society as a Vice President from 1951 to 1965, passed away on July 30, 1995, in Sweden. Many members were able to attend his memorial party in Tokyo and pay their last respects.
Through the kind courtesy of H.E. the Swedish Ambassador and Mrs. Magnus Vahlquist, the Society held its annual buffet- style party at the Swedish Ambassador’s Residence on December 19, 1995. The Society was very honored to have the gracious presence of T.I.H. Prince and Princess Hitachi. The
80 members and their guests enjoyed a splendid winter evening with musical entertainment provided by Mr. Shigeaki Hoshi, a member of the Society, and his friends.
H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf, Honorary President of the World Scout Foundation, visited to Japan in October 1996 to participate in its various events. A dinner reception in honor of H.M. the King was held on October 11, under the sponsorship of the Boy Scouts of Nippon, at the Tokyo Kaikan. President Hattori and other members of the Society and their families were invited to attend this auspicious dinner.
H.R.H. Prince Bertil, the son of King Gustaf Adolf VI, passed away on January 5, 1997. The Society offered the condolences.
T.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia paid an auspicious visit to Japan from May 21 to 29, 1997. The King and Queen were graciously present at various functions of the “Sweden Campaign”, a one-year nationwide program introducing and promoting Swedish art, music and culture. The Society held a welcoming dinner party in honor of T.M. the King and Queen on May 22, 1997, at the Imperial Hotel, with the gracious attendance of T.I.H. Prince and Princess Hitachi. It was the first commemorative function in which the Society was honored by the presence of the King and Queen. The entertainment during the dinner was a short Noh play performed by Rokuro Umewaka, one of our leading Noh performers. The 184 party guests, including H.E. Ambassador and Mrs. Magnus Vahlquist, enjoyed a pleasant evening.
After five year service as Ambassador, H.E. and Mrs. Magnus Vahlquist left Japan in August 1997 to assume another diplomatic post as the Ambassador to Norway. The Society presented a gift of wrist watches to them.
H.E. Ambassador Krister Kumlin arrived in Tokyo in August 1997 to succeed H.E. Mr. Magnus Vahlquist and presented his Credentials on September 24, 1997.
Mr. Fumio Tanaka, who served the Society as Director from 1988, passed away on January 6, 1998. Dr. Kenichi Fukui, an Honorary Member of the Society, who was awarded the 1981 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, also passed away on January 9, 1998. Many members of the Society attended the funerals to pay their last respects.
The Society held its annual party at the Hotel Okura on March 16, 1998, with the auspicious attendance of T.I.H. Prince and Princess Hitachi. It was a great honor to have the pleasure of welcoming H.E. Ambassador and Mrs. Krister Kumlin to their first social function with the Society. The 87 guests enjoyed the splendid evening.
Throughout 1998, Stockholm plays host to a wide variety of events to celebrate “Stockholm ’98 ̶ Cultural Capital of Europe”. Various programs, such as kabuki, ikebana, bonsai, designed to introduce Japanese culture to the people of Sweden and the rest of the world are included in these celebrations. Especially, a kabuki troupe led by Kankuro Nakamura, one of the leading kabuki performers, made its debut performance in Sweden from June 2 to 4. Kankuro and his son performed “Renjishi”, one of the most popular kabuki programs at the Stockholm City Theater. In addition to these traditional Japanese cultural events, programs introducing contemporary Japan also took place.
T.M. the Emperor and Empress of Japan paid an auspicious visit to Sweden from May 28 to 31, 2000. Their Majesties, accompanied by T.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, visited the European Institute of Japanese Studies (EIJS) at the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE), on Tuesday, May 30. Dr. Carl-Johan Åerg, Chairman of the Board of the SSE, Professor Claes-Robert Julander, Chairman of the EIJS and President of the SSE, and Professor Magnus Blomström, President of the EIJS, received Their Majesties. Inside the School, Their Majesties were greeted by the members of the EIJS Advisory Board including Director Masaru Ishii of the Japan-Sweden Society, Mr Toyoo Gyohten, President of the Institute for International Monetary Affairs and Professor Staffan Burenstam Linder*, Founder of the EIJS. After listening to a song of welcome by the SSE choir “Friedman’s Apostles,” Their Majesties proceeded to mingle and talk freely with the Board members, EIJS staff, and SSE students.
*Professor Burenstam Linder passed away on June 22, 2000, less than one month later after this auspicious event.
Dr. Hideki Shirakawa, Professor of University of Tsukuba, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2000 for the discovery and development of conductive polymers. He delivered the Nobel Lecture, titled “The Discovery of Polyacetylene Film: The Dawning of an Era of Conducting Polyemers”.
H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf, Honorary President of the World Scout Foundation, visited to Japan from April 20 to 23, 2001 to participate in the WSF’s various events. A welcoming dinner in honor of H.M. the King of Sweden was held on April 21 at the Keio Plaza Hotel under the sponsorship of the Boy Scouts of Nippon.
President Hattori and many other members of the Society and their families including Nobel Laureate & Mrs. Leo Esaki as well as Nobel Laureate & Mrs. Hideki Shirakawa were invited to join this auspicious dinner.
H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria paid an auspicious visit to Japan from October 13 to 20, 2001. H.R.H. the Crown Princess of Sweden was graciously present at various functions of the “Sweden Style in Tokyo 2001”, a one-year nationwide program introducing and promoting Swedish art, music and culture.
President Hattori and many other members of the Society were invited to attend the buffet dinner hosted by SCCJ (The Swedish Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan) at the Ambassador’s Residence on October 15. The Society had the honor of presenting a gift of a handbag to the Crown Princess.
Dr. Ryoji Noyori, Professor of Nagoya University, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2001 for the work on chirally catalysed hydrogenation reactions. He received his Novel Prize from H.M. the King of Sweden at the Stockholm Concert Hall on December 10, 2001.
Mr. Göran Holmquist, former Vice President of the Society, passed away on January 9, 2002, in Sweden. President Hattori made a floral offering at the funeral service on February 1.
H.E. Ambassador Michael Lindström arrived in October 2002 to succeed H.E. Mr. Krister Kumlin and presented his Credentials on November 25, 2002.
Dr. Masatoshi Koshiba of International Center for Elementary Particle Physics, the University of Tokyo and Mr. Koichi Tanaka of Shimadzu Corporation were awarded the Nobel Prize 2002. It was the first time that two Japanese were awarded the Nobel Prize in the same year. Dr. Koshiba was awarded in Physics for pioneering contributions to astrophysics, in particular for the detection of cosmic neutrions, while Mr. Tanaka was awarded in Chemistry for the development of methods for identification and structure analyses of biological macromolecules.
Mr. Goro Gadelius, who served as Vice Chairman of the Society under the Presidency of Mr. Akira Matsui, passed away in London on July 31, 2003. The Society made a floral offering at the funeral service in Stockholm on August 22.
The Society held the farewell party for Mr. & Mrs. Edman who would return to Sweden, on December 1 2003, at the Nippon Kogyo Club. Mr. Edman had served as Managing Director since 1993, and the Society presented a gift of clock as gratitude for his great contribution toward the Society. The 34 members and their guests enjoyed the winter evening, cherishing various functions with Mr. & Mrs. Edman.
Dr. Keizo Yamaji, who served as Director since 1997, passed away on December 26, 2003. President Hattori attended the funeral function on February 25, 2004 at the Hotel Okura.
The Society and the European Institute of Japanese Studies (EIJS) co-hosted the symposium on “Lessons from Deregulations in Sweden” on October 22, 2004, at the Swedish Embassy Auditorium, with the keynote speaker of President Lars Bergman of the Stockholm School of Economics. After listening to Dr. Bergman’s lecture on timely theme of deregulations, 30 attendants made substantial discussion.
H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria paid an auspicious visit to Japan in April 2005. As a guest of honor, H.R.H. graciously attended the Swedish National Day Ceremony in the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan, on April 6, with Mr. Thomas Östros, the Swedish Minister of Industry and Trade. Sweden, together with the other four Nordic countries, i.e. Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway, participated in Aichi Expo 2005 to have the joint Nordic Pavilion, which have been received more than 500,000 visits since its opening on March 25. President Hattori and Vice President Hornmark were invited to the reception in honor of H.R.H. Crown Princess on April 8 at the Swedish Embassy, where T.I.H. Prince and Princess Hitachi were pleased to graciously meet H.R.H.
The Society held a commemorative dinner party at the Nippon Kogyo Club on May 15, 2006, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of H.I.H. Prince Hitachi as Patron of the Society, with the auspicious attendance of T.I.H. Prince and Princess Hitachi. In his speech, H.I.H. Prince Hitachi graciously reflected the 25 years of pleasant memories. The Society presented a gift of Swedish linen tableware to express the sincere appreciation.
In the course of the buffet dinner, a video was shown of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s three-nation tour from April 29 to May 5 to visit to Ethiopia, Ghana and Sweden. Mr. Koizumi is the first Japanese Prime Minister to visit Sweden. The 80 party guests enjoyed a splendid evening with New Orleans jazz entertainment by New Orleans Naughties and Mr. Mats Bruzæus.
T.M. the King and Queen of Sweden paid an official visit to Japan from March 25 to 31, 2007. The Society, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Japan (SCCJ) and the Japan-Sweden Foundation jointly held a welcoming dinner in honor of T.M. the King and Queen on March 27 at the Happo-en with the gracious presence of T.I.H. Prince and Princess Hitachi.
2007 commemorates the 300th anniversary of the birth of Carl von Linné. T.M. the Emperor and Empress of Japan paid an auspicious visit to Sweden from May 21 to 24. Accompanied by T. M. the King and Queen, T.M. the Emperor and Empress visited the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm and participated in the celebration ceremony of the 300th anniversary of Carl Von Linné in Uppsala.
With the courtesy of the Scout Association of Japan, the Japan- Sweden Society members were invited to join the dinner to commemorate the 54th World Baden-Powell Fellowship Event in the gracious presence of H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf, Honorary President of the World Scout Foundation, on October 5, 2007 at the Keio Plaza Hotel.
With the courtesy of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (SCCJ), the Japan-Sweden Society members were invited to join the breakfast meeting with the Swedish Prime Ministe, H. E. Mr. Fredik Reinfeldt on April 18, 2008 at Happo-en.
2008 marked special significance in the scientific field of Japan. Dr. Yoichiro Nambu, Professor of the University of Chicago, Dr. Makoto Kobayashi of Professor Emeritus at the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) in Tsukuba and Dr. Toshihide Maskawa of professor emeritus at the Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics at Kyoto University were awarded the Nobel physics prize 2008. Dr. Osamu Shimomura of the Boston University Medical School was awarded the Nobel chemistry prize for discovering a fluorescent protein derived from a jellyfish that has become a vitallab tool.
The Society held the annual dinner party on Tuesday, 10 March 2009 at the Hotel Okura, with the auspicious attendance of T.I.H.Prince and Princess Hitachi. The two Nobel Laureates, Dr. Maskawa and Dr. Kobayashi, were kind enough to make “Nobel lectures”.
Mr. Masaru Ishii, who served as Director since 1991, passed away on September 27, 2009. President Hattori and many friends attended the funeral function on October 16, 2009 at the Hotel Okura.
The Society held the annual dinner party on Thursday, 22 April 2010 at the Nippon Kogyo Club, with the auspicious attendance of T.I.H. Prince and Princess Hitachi. The 71 guests enjoyed the splendid evening.
Mr. Nobuyuki Takashima, who served as Auditor of the Society under Presidency of Mr. Akira Matsui, passed away on June 18, 2010.
2010 marked special significance in the chemical field of Japan. Dr. Akira Suzuki, Professor at Hokkaido University in Sapporo and Dr. Eiichi Negishi, Professor at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., were awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry for developing a chemical method that has allowed scientists to make potential cancer drugs and other medicines as well as slimmed-down computer screens.
Mr. Ulf Nilsson, who served as Director since 2002, passed away on September 11, 2010.
The Society held lecture and yearly dinner meeting on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at Imperial Hotel Tokyo, with the auspicious attendance of T. I. H. Prince and Princess Hitachi. Nobel Laureate, Dr. Akira Suzuki kindly delivered “Nobel Lecture”.
H.E. Ambassador Lars Vargö arrived in Tokyo on September 1, 2011 to succeed H.E. Mr. Stefan Noreén and presented his Credentials on November 25, 2011.
Mr. Minoru Mori, who served as Director since 1995, passed away on March 8, 2012.
The Society held Commemorative Dinner Party in celebration of the 30th Anniversary of H.I.H. Prince Hitachi as the Patron of the Society on Monday, 19 March, 2012 at Hotel Okura Tokyo, “Orchard Room”.
H.E. Mr. Lars Vargö, newly-appointed Swedish Ambassador to Japan delivered a speech followed by JSS President, Mr. Reijiro Hattori who afterwards presented a gift to H.I.H. Prince Hitachi as a token of appreciation. A blue and yellow bouquet, imaging Swedish national flag was also presented by Mrs. Vargö. In return, H.I.H. Prince Hitachi delivered a complimentary speech. The highlight came when Nobel laureate Dr. Negishi held his speech introducing several episodes since announcement of his Nobel Prize. A team of Toyo Eiwa Girls High School gave a hanbell performance after dinner.
The 75 party guests enjoyed the splendid evening.
Mr. Shoichi Saba, who served as Director from 1985 to 2006, passed away on September 11, 2012.
Dr. Shiny Yamanaka, Professor at Kyoto University, became the second Japanese recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine as he was awarded the 2012 prize for the discovery that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent.
Mr. Yoichi Nose, who served as Managing Director from 1988 to 2002 and for many years (from 1982 to 1987/since 2003) served as Director, passed away on January 21, 2013.
Dr. Noriko Mizuta was awarded the Cikada Prize on December 9th, 2013.
Swedish Embassy, JSS, the Josai International University Center for Promotion of Academic Culture, Shichosha, as joint organizers, and Kinokuniya as a sponsor, the Cikada Prize Award Commemorative Symposium was held at the Kioicho Campus, the Josai University Educational Corporation. H.E. Swedish Ambassador and a member of Cikada Prize Committee Dr. Lars Vargö celebrated the award of the Cikada Prize to Chancellor Dr. Noriko Mizuta. Dr. Noriko Mizuta gave a speech “On Aniarra, by Harry Martinson”.
The Society held a farewell reception in honor of H.E. Ambassador Mr. Lars Vargö on July 18, 2014 at the Hotel Okura. A renowned Nipponist, Mr. Vargö spent a total of fifteen years in Japan including his previous appointments. 50 members and their guests enjoyed the evening.
During October 5th and 11th 2014, Chancellor, Dr. Noriko Mizuta led a visit group to Sweden. Visited the Japanese Embassy (H.E. Ambassador Seiji Morimoto) in Sweden, Folklore Museum, Karolinska Research Institute and its Hospital, Stockholm Modern Museum, East Asian Museum, Stockholm School of Economics (Marie Söderberg Director the European Institute of Japanese Studies), the Uppsala University (Rector Eva Äkessen)
On October 28th, 2014, Lecture by Prof. Marie Söderberg of the Stockholm School of Economics, Director of the European Institute of Japanese Studies, “Economic Relations between Japan and Europe” held at the Kioicho Campus, Josai University Educational Corporation
The 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Drs. Isamu Akasaki, Professor at Meijo University and Nagoya University, Hiroshi Amano, Professor at Nagoya University, and Shuji Nakamura, Professor at University of California, Santa Barbara, for their pioneering work in the development of blue light- emitting diodes.
H.E. Ambassador Magnus Robach arrived in Tokyo in September to succeed H.E. Mr. Lars Vargö and presented his Credentials on December 5, 2014.
The Society held its annual party at the Hotel Okura on November 25, 2014. It was a great honor to have the pleasure of welcoming H.E. Ambassador and Mrs. Magnus Robach to their first social function with the Society. A Certificate of Appreciation was presented to the widow of former President Mr. Hattori for his distinguished contributions to the develop- ment of friendship between Sweden and Japan as the President of the Society. 93 members and their guests enjoyed a wonderful soiree.
Honorary Member and former Honorary President Mr. Gunnar Lonaeus, who served as Swedish Ambassador to Japan from 1981 to 1986, passed away on March 4, 2015.
On Mars 30th 2015, The Uppsala University, Sweden and the Josai University Educational Corporation jointly held a symposium, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Josai University “Women’s Studies and Literature in Sweden and Japan”, at the Kioicho Campus of the Josai University Educational Corporation, Tokyo. Dr. Lars Vargö, an alumni of the Uppsala University an the former Swedish Ambassador to Japan, Dr. Eva Äkesson, Rector and Vice Chancellor of Uppsala University, Prof. Ann Öhrberg, Prof. Margaretha Fahlgren, Prof. Eva Heggestad and Prof. Anna Williams from the Uppsala University made presentation on the topic, and joined the Swedish and Japanese panel discussion. Dr. Noriko Mizuta’s presentation title was “Women’s Literature and Japanese Literature: New Canon rewriting the History of Japanese Literature in the fields of Gender, Race and Languages”.
Mr. Mats Bruzæus, Director since 2009 passed away on July 11, 2015.
On November 20th 2015, the Selma Lagerlöf Sällskapet (Society), Japan, Riksbankens Jubileumsfond (the Sweden Central Bank Fund), Karlstads University, and Josai University Educational Corporation jointly held an international symposium, “Lagerlöf in Japan: Between Modernity and Tradition” with Dr. Noriko Mizuta as moderator, and the research presentation by Prof. Noriko Thunman (Gothenburg University), Lisbeth Stenberg (Docent, Gothenburg University), Prof. Seiko Nakamaru (Tokyo University of Science), Prof. Tomoko Murayama (Ibaraki University), and Prof. Astrid Surmatz (Amsterdam University).
The 2015 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Dr. Takaaki Kajita of the Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, University of Tokyo for the discovery of neutrino oscillations, which shows that neutrinos have mass.
Dr. Satoshi ∂mura was awarded the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery concerning a novel therapy against infections caused by roundworm parasites.
The Society held the annual dinner party on Monday, 7 December, 2015 at Hotel Okura, with the auspicious attendance of T.I.H. Prince and Princess Hitachi. 90 guests were present to enjoy a splendid evening.
On February 18th 2016, H.M. King Gustav of Sweden held a Japan-Sweden Friendship Banquet.
On June 7th 2016, Swedish Café was held at the Kioicho Campus of the Josai University Educational Corporation, and Chancellor Dr. Noriko Mizuta invited Mr. Carl-Gustav Eklund, who gave a presentation entitled “Cross Cultural Management, between Sweden and Japan”.
On September 8th 2016, Sweden National Day Reception and a symposium “Ingrid Bergman’s Life: Transformation of Gender Roles” was held.
The 2016 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Dr. Yoshinori Ohsumi of Tokyo Institute of Technology’s Institute of Innovative Research for his discoveries of mechanisms for autophagy.
The Society held the annual dinner party on Tuesday, 25 October, 2016 at Hotel New Otani, Tokyo, with the auspicious attendance of T.I.H. Prince and Princess Hitachi. The 2014 Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics, University Professor Isamu Akasaki of Meijo University was the guest speaker. 90 members and their guests enjoyed the evening.
On June 19th 2017, JSS Bookfare held at the International Convention Hall, Kioicho Campus, Josai University Educational Corporation, celebrating the publication of “Sweden Revealed (Sweden ga mietekuru) by H.E. Seiji Morimoto, former Japanese Ambassador to Sweden.
Sweden and Japan celebrated the 150 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The Swedish Embassy was in charge and had a very active and successful year. The main event was the visit by the Swedish King in charge of an industrial delegation in April 2018. Some of our members had supported this event and could meet with the King and Queen on Sunday, April 22nd 2018.
On May 30th 2018, His Majesty the King of Sweden has decided to confer the Order of the Polar Star, with the rank of Member 1st Class, to Dr. Noriko Mizuta, in recognition of Dr. Mizuta’s services for promoting cultural and educational relations between Japan and Sweden.
On June 20th 2018, The Order of the Polar Star, with the rank of Member 1st Class, was conferred on Dr. Noriko Mizuta, President of JSS since January 2014, at the JSS Dinner held at the Ambassador Magnus Robach’s Residence, and the decoration was put on Dr. Noriko Mizuta by H.E. Ambassador Magnus Robach at the special celebration program for this conferment.
During December 5th to 8th 2018, at the Swedish Embassy, Beijing, China, Dr. Noriko Mizuta was invited to the 2018 Cikada Prize award ceremony. H.E. Ambassador Anna Lindstedt and Dr. Lars Vargö of the Cikada Prize judge Committee, together with Dr. Noriko Mizuta, the 2015 Cikada Prize winner, awarded the 2018 Cikada Prize to poet Sei Chuang, while other Chinese poets joined the celebration.
The 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Prof. Tasuku Honjo of the Department of Immunology and Genomic Medicine Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine Kyoto for his discovery of cancer therapy by inhibition of negative immune regulation.
The Society held its annual dinner party on Thursday, June 13^th, 2019 at the Ambassador Residence of Swedish Embassy. Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics, Dr. Takaaki Kajita gave speech on ”Researches in Kamioka” prior to the dinner at the Nobel Auditorium in the Swedish Embassy. 81 members and their guests participated in the Evening.
H.E. Ambassador Mr. Pereric Högberg arrived in Tokyo in August to succeed H.E. Mr. Magnus Robach and presented his Credentials on December 12th, 2019.
Published Membership Directory 2019 in Feb. 2019.
The Society held its annual dinner party on Thursday, June 13th 2019 at the Ambassador Residence of Swedish Embassy. Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics, Dr. Takaaki Kajita gave speech on “Researches in Kamioka” prior to the dinner at the Nobel Auditorium in the Swedish Embassy. 81 members and their guests participated in the Evening.
The Society held its 90th Anniversary on Monday, November 18th, 2019 at the Okura Tokyo “Akebono-Room” . Opened the Evening with the memorable lecture by Dr. Tasuku Honjo, Nobel Prize Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, on “Serendipities of acquired immunity” . At the Memorial Ceremony, JSS Vice President, both Mr. Nils Hornmark and Mr. Shinji Fukukawa were given the Appreciation Diploma for their long time services to the Society as well as Mrs. Etsuko Hattori, an Honorary Member, for her long time contribution to the society. At the Dinner, there were some entertainment program of Piano Recital, playing Nyckelharpa music. Participated 141 members and their guests enjoyed the special evening.
The 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Dr. Akira Yoshino, Honorary Fellow of Asahi Kasei Corporation for his development of lithium-ion batteries. Dr. Akira Yoshino joined us as an Honorary Member.
Published Membership Directory 2020 in May 2020.
The Society held its Annual General Meeting through e-mail on August 20th 2020.
Dr. Masatoshi Koshiba, Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics in 2002, who served as Honorary Member since 2003 passed away on November 12th, 2020.
The Society held Web-Seminar with the theme of “At the Covid-19 Frontline in Japan and Sweden” with the speakers of Dr. Peter Ueda/Swedish side and Dr. Jun Sasaki/Japanese side. Some 50 members and their guests enjoyed/learnt a lot from the 1st opportunity of JSS Webinar on November 27th, 2020.
JSS Vice-President Mr. Shinji Fukukawa contributed/appeared to one of articles “Watashi-no-Rirekisho” (私の履歴書) in the Nikkei morning edition daily basis in December 2020.
Dr. Isamu Akasaki, Nobel Prize Laureate in Physics in 2014, who served as Honorary Member since 2015 passed away on April 1st, 2021.
On April 6th, The Society held Web-Seminar invited Prof. Hiroshi Amano, Nobel Laureate Physics 2014 as a precious speaker with the theme of “our activities after 2014” . Some 50 members and their guests learnt a lot from his 1 hour speech followed by active questions from 6 people of audience.
The Society held its Annual General Meeting through e-mail on May 24th, 2021.
Dr. Ei-ichi Negishi, Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemistry in 2010, who served as Honorary Member since 2011 passed away on June 6th, 2021.
Dr. Toshihide Masukawa, Nobel Prize Laureate in Chemistry in 2008 who served as Honorary Member since 2009 passed away on Jul. 29th, 2021.
On September 16th, The Society held Web-Seminar invited Prof. Yoshihiko Fukushima, Waseda University’s School of Politics and Economics as the speaker with the theme of comparing responses to Covid-19 in Japan and Sweden. Mr. Carl-Gustav Eklund was the support speaker for this Seminar. Some 30 members and their guests learnt/enjoyed their speeches.
The 2021 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Dr. Shukuro Manabe (眞鍋淑郎), Senior Metrologist, Princeton University for his studies of pioneering work on developing clime models.
Published Membership Directory 2022 in March 2022.