Spring has arrived, and Expo 2025 is just one month away! At Swissnex in Japan, we look back on the NextStep program, where young talents immersed themselves in Japanese work culture, and last month’s high-profile Davos 2025 Debriefing. We also celebrated International Women’s Day with a global initiative highlighting women shaping the future in connection with Expo. Meanwhile, our calendar remains full: the "Swissnex Window #4: Folklore Fusion" exhibition with ECAL, nexCafé Francophonie with six participating countries, and soon—the long-awaited start of Expo! Join us in this season of renewal and discovery.

Minami Kotani,

Head of Academic Relations

Spotlight

NextStep in Japan: A Promising Start for Swiss VET Graduates

We are pleased to share the outcomes of the pilot year of the NextStep program in Japan. As we bid farewell to our first interns, we reflected on their experiences navigating Japanese work culture. This inaugural year provided young Swiss vocational education and training (VET) graduates with invaluable professional exposure in Japan. Launched by the Cantons of Vaud and Zurich, with support from Swissnex in Japan and Movetia, NextStep has already demonstrated its potential to foster international collaboration and knowledge exchange. Strengthening ties between Switzerland and Japan, the program contributes to a dynamic future in education, innovation, and global mobility.

Swissnex Window #4: Folklore Fusion 

Osaka | Mar 11 - Apr 3

Swissnex in Japan, in collaboration with ECAL/University of Art and Design Lausanne, presents Folklore Fusion, a visual communication project exploring Swiss and Japanese folklore through a cutting-edge CGI character project.

nexCafé Francophonie 2025

Lors du Festival de la Francophonie, des scientifiques, chercheurs et entrepreneurs issus de diverses régions francophones se réunissent pour partager leurs travaux et échanger avec la communauté francophone du Kansai.

Open Call: Energy Days Startup Camp

Apply by April 11

Applications are now open for the Q3 2025 Startup Camp, powered by Innosuisse and managed by Swissnex in Japan. This program supports Swiss energy startups looking to enter the Japanese market.

Davos 2025 Debriefing

Swissnex in Japan, in collaboration with Swiss Business Hub Japan, hosted a Davos Debriefing under the theme "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age," with high-caliber guests, reflecting the Annual Meeting 2025's focus.

nexCafé #11: Robots, AI, and Sustainable Construction

Leading experts from Switzerland and Japan explored how digital fabrication and computational design are revolutionizing the construction industry, driving efficiency, and fostering sustainability.

Fuel Cell Expo

Switzerland’s commitment to innovation took center stage during Swiss Smart Energy Week 2025, fostering connections for startups to explore collaborations and gain insights from Japan’s thriving renewable energy and innovation sectors.

Roger Walch

Prof. Sarah Kenderdine, EPFL

Energy-Saving Air Cooling Tech

Researchers from Empa and startup Ionic Wind Technologies have introduced a cooling method using ionic wind to cut data center energy consumption by up to 60%. This technology offers considerable cost savings and reduces environmental impact.

3D Printing Efficiency and Resolution

Bat Wings Boost Flight Efficiency