In preparation for the House of Switzerland that will feature at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Embassy of Switzerland in Japan would like to celebrate the ties of friendship between our two countries in all their strength and diversity. “Doors to Switzerland – Japan 2020” is an events and communication program that will be developed based on three core themes: discovery, innovation and inclusiveness. Hosted by Ambassador Jean-François Paroz at his residence, the opening ceremony for the “Doors to Switzerland” program was held on February 13. Some 180 guests attended, with speeches by H.E. Mr. Yoshitaka Sakurada, Minister for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, H.E. Mr. Daichi Suzuki, Commissioner, Japan Sports Agency, Mr. Ken Hasebe, Mayor of Shibuya City, Ambassador Nicolas Bideau, Head of Presence Switzerland, Ambassador Paroz, and Jonas Pulver, Head of Culture and Public Affairs of the Embassy. Mayors of sister cities and host towns, Japanese and Swiss partners of the Embassy as well as media representatives also joined.  Just like the Olympic torch is carried through the host country before the opening ceremony, the program will open many doors to Switzerland in Japan from February 2019 to July 2020, until the House of Switzerland opens its doors in Shibuya, Tokyo.
 

About the “House of Switzerland” in Japan 2020

Since 2004 in Athens, Presence Switzerland, the marketing agency of the Swiss government abroad, is producing “House of Switzerland” during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, in cooperation with the Swiss Embassies and the Swiss National Olympic Committee. Open to the public, its purpose is to present our country to the local and international visitors, and also to welcome our national team and fans to celebrate sport. 

In Japan in 2020, a House of Switzerland will open in the heart of Shibuya, on Cat Street. In a 800m2 four buildings area, including “The Mass“ (5-11-1 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001), art and design, tourism, fine food and Swiss made products will have a dedicated pop-up spot for the Tokyoite to enjoy, from July 22 to September 13, 2020. A great way to keep the Doors to Switzerland open!
 

About “Doors to Switzerland – Japan 2020”

Ahead of the “House of Switzerland”, the program “Doors to Switzerland – Japan 2020” is presenting 18 months of events and initiatives around the themes discovery, innovation and inclusiveness.

• The discovery pillar consists of the “Grand Tour of Switzerland in Japan”, a digital map which allows users to browse through places in Japan with a special connection to Switzerland. Information about host towns, sister cities, sister railways or historical figures, among others, is accessible at Grand Tour of Switzerland in Japan. While the English version is already available, the Japanese version will become available in the spring of 2019. The Grand Tour will also take the form of events (Swiss fairs, seminars, exhibitions) organized in collaboration with local partners.
• Showcasing projects in fields such as technology, architecture, design, virtual reality or digital art, the innovation pillar will offer a younger, urban perspective on Switzerland and its creative economy.   
• With partners such as Cybathlon, the Japanese Red Cross Society, the NPO Support Our Kids, Oita International Wheelchair Marathon and Fukushima-city, the Inclusiveness pillar sheds light on Switzerland as a country of humanitarian tradition and diversity which promotes social inclusion and long-term rehabilitation.

Information on “Doors to Switzerland – Japan 2020” will be shared on the Instagram account @doorstoswitzerland, and on the Facebook account of the Embassy of Switzerland in Japan.