Minister of the Presidency José Ignacio Paliza is in Japan on an official visit from 19 to 26 August 2025. The Ministry of Foreign Relations of Japan says he will participate on 23 August in the National Day Event of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan as an official guest of the Government of Japan.
The Ministry of the Presidency of the Dominican Republic explains that the spotlight on the country at National Day at the Osaka Expo is an opportunity to showcase a dynamic agenda of diplomatic, cultural, and economic promotion activities, highlighting the country’s identity, potential, and global outreach at one of the most significant international forums of the year.
The Dominican National Day program will include a flag-raising ceremony, official speeches, cultural performances, and visits to the Dominican and Japanese pavilions. The celebration will feature traditional Dominican music and folklore, with performances by the Ballet Dominicano en Europa (BDE) and renowned jazz musician Josean Jacobo and his orchestra.
A formal reception at the Expo Guest House will also be held, and a vibrant carnival parade is expected to captivate audiences at the iconic Great Ring, offering a colorful display of Dominican culture and joy to Japanese spectators.
In the days leading up to National Day, the Dominican delegation is participating in separate events in Tokyo organized by ProDominicana and the Ministry of Tourism. Minister Paliza and members of the delegation are also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Japanese government officials and leaders from the economic, commercial, and innovation sectors to strengthen cooperation in key areas such as investment, tourism, and sustainable development.
Other members of the Dominican mission are Minister of Culture Roberto Ángel Salcedo; Vice Minister for Economic Affairs and International Cooperation Hugo Francisco Rivera; Vice Minister of Culture Amaury Sánchez; the executive director of ProDominicana Biviana Riveiro; and the Dominican Ambassador to Japan, Edward Pérez Reyes.
Since the Expo opened, the Dominican pavilion has welcomed over one million visitors. The exhibit pays tribute to baseball as a shared cultural symbol, highlighting Dominican players on Japanese teams like the Hanshin Tigers (Osaka) and Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
The pavilion also serves as a showcase for the Dominican Republic’s most iconic products, including chocolate, coffee, cigars, rum, amber, larimar, and fragrances, positioning the country as a compelling cultural and commercial partner for Japan and the global community.
The Ministry of Foreign Relations of Japan highlights that the Dominican presence at Expo 2025 comes as the two nations celebrate over 90 years of diplomatic relations — marked by longstanding cooperation, friendship, and mutual respect. These ties are further enriched by the historical presence of Nikkei communities in the Dominican Republic – Dajabon, Jarabacoa and Constanza.
The Osaka 2025 World Expo opened on 13 April 2025 and runs until 13 October 2025. It is held on Yumeshima Island in Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
Read more:
Ministry of the Presidency
Ministry of Foreign Relations Japan
20 August 2025