Strengthening Ties Between Hokkaido and the Netherlands

Yesterday, we had the honor of welcoming representatives from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Sapporo Transnational Expansion and Partnership (STEP).

During their visit, we shared an overview of Sapporo City, including its key industries, startup support initiatives such as STARTUP HOKKAIDO and Hokkaido Innovation Week, the establishment of STEP, and our ongoing activities. In return, the Embassy provided an insightful introduction to the Netherlands’ innovation ecosystem, highlighting its historical development, tax incentive structures, and collaborative frameworks that effectively connect government, research institutions, and enterprises to drive business growth.

Hokkaido and the Netherlands share many similarities, particularly in agriculture, the food industry, and green energy. We found it especially inspiring to explore these shared opportunities through the lens of the Netherlands’ Future Earning Capacity approach, which is embedded in their national innovation policy. This forward-looking strategy, combined with sustained investment in R&D, creates a strong foundation for addressing challenges such as aging societies and advancing healthcare solutions.

Additionally, we were impressed by the Dutch Joint Road Map, a collaborative model that is not driven top-down but instead fostered through close cooperation among academia, government, and industry. This approach closely aligns with the values and methods we emphasize in Hokkaido and Sapporo City.

Following our visit to the Netherlands last month, where we encountered numerous companies with outstanding and innovative technologies, we are highly optimistic about the potential for concrete collaborations. By leveraging the strengths of both regions, we aim to promote mutual growth in areas such as agriculture, healthcare, biotechnology, green transformation, and semiconductors.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for this valuable opportunity to deepen our ties—and for the delicious Dutch waffles.