Dutch innovation for a safer, more sustainable future

The Netherlands has always been a nation of problem-solvers. This spirit of resilience and ingenuity now drives our high-tech and digital sector. Ranked 8th in the world in the Global Innovation Index, the Netherlands continues to think outside the box, using technology to tackle modern challenges just as we have for centuries. Both Japan and the Netherlands are global players in the high-tech and digital industries, pioneering advancements that empower societies, businesses, and individuals worldwide. 

Our ability to innovate extends across multiple industries and technologies. Think of advancements in quantum technology, photonics, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, privacy enhancing technologies, and advanced connectivity like 6G. These technologies are shaping the future of secure communication, sustainable industries, and smarter cities. Dutch breakthroughs in photonics are making telecommunications faster and more energy efficient. For example, SuperLight Photonics, a Dutch company emerging from Twente University and based in Enschede, is driven by a vision to lead the photonics market. With cutting-edge work in areas like optical coherence tomography, metrology, and spectral imaging, they’re developing smart, high-performance solutions that are already making a difference in healthcare, environmental monitoring, and scientific research. By harnessing the potential of Photonic-IC technology, SuperLight Photonics is showing how deep tech can be a force for good, enabling a more sustainable, healthier, and better-informed world.

But Dutch expertise in high-tech doesn´t stop with photonics. We’re known globally for our development of semiconductor technology, which is powering the next generation of digital devices. One of our proudest achievements is ASML, the world’s leading supplier of photolithography machines essential for producing advanced microchips.

Our quantum research is opening doors to unprecedented computing power. One company helping to turn that potential into practical progress is OrangeQS. By developing user-friendly tools to test quantum chip performance at scale, OrangeQS is removing a key bottleneck in the advancement of quantum technology. Their innovative combination of proprietary testing protocols and precision hardware enables faster, more reliable development of quantum chips, helping researchers and engineers iterate smarter. It’s a great example of how Dutch innovation is accelerating breakthroughs that could shape everything from climate modelling to secure communication.

Looking ahead, the Netherlands is also taking bold steps in shaping the future of connectivity. Future Network Services (FNS) is a national alliance of over 60 leading ICT firms, mobile operators, semiconductor manufacturers, research institutions and universities, working collectively to develop the foundations of 6G. With a strong focus on software antennas, AI-driven network software, and pioneering 6G applications, FNS is not only strengthening the Netherlands’ international position in next-generation mobile technology but also supporting economic growth and resilience. By reducing strategic dependencies and tackling societal challenges, the FNS programme contributes to sustainability transitions across key sectors such as energy, logistics, and high-tech manufacturing.

The power of collaboration

At its core, technology in the Netherlands is not just about progress, it’s about purpose. Our innovations are designed to address real-world problems, from optimising food production to making healthcare more accessible. We don’t just create technology; we apply it where it matters most. The applications of technologies and innovations that this sector develops can be seen in all kinds of sectors. It is not without reason that this industry works across all sectors.

This approach is deeply embedded in regions like Brainport Eindhoven, where high-tech companies, research institutions, and startups work closely together to translate cutting-edge technologies into practical solutions for challenges in mobility, energy, health, and beyond.

Innovation does not happen in isolation. The Netherlands thrives on partnerships across borders, industries and disciplines. By working together, we accelerate progress, create impact, and ensure that technology remains a force for good. Whether it’s co-developing next-generation chip technology, designing AI systems that prioritise human well-being, or pioneering sustainable energy solutions, the Dutch high-tech ecosystem is always looking for partners to drive meaningful change.

The challenges ahead are not easy, but with challenges lie opportunities. As Japan and the Netherlands come together at World Expo 2025 in Osaka, we invite you to explore new possibilities for innovation and cooperation. Visit the Netherlands Pavilion to experience how we are harnessing technology for a better future and discover how we can work together to create a safer, more sustainable, and more inclusive world.

Are you ready to collaborate? Let’s connect, find common ground, and make an impact together.

From 18 to 28 May, a Dutch delegation of high-tech and digitalisation experts will be joining an economic mission to Expo Osaka to explore collaboration prospects in Japan's advanced technology sectors. Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, Dirk Beljaars, will also be joining, along with a wide range of professionals from knowledge institutes, businesses and other government representatives.