As part of the 160th anniversary celebrations, the Swiss Vitality Days 2024 will engage multiple Swiss and Japanese stakeholders. This special platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange will take place from mid-September to mid-October 2024 in both Tokyo and Osaka. The initiative aims to explore the concept of Vitality from various angles, including research, academia, business, governance, economy, finance, culture, and the arts.​

During the Swiss Vitality Days 2024, experts, entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, industry leaders, government representatives, and cultural practitioners from both countries will come together. They will discuss energy breakthroughs, emerging trends in life sciences, quantum computing, biodiversity, and more. The goal is to accelerate co-creation and cross-pollination, fostering more vital and sustainable societies.​

They will discuss energy breakthroughs, emerging trends in life sciences, biodiversity, healthy ageing, durable food systems and more. The goal is to accelerate co-creation and cross-pollination, fostering more vital and sustainable societies.

The event lineup features Swiss-Japan Energy Days, a special edition of the Switzerland-Japan Economic Forum, an art x sustainability initiative in the Nara forest, a pavilion at BioJapan showcasing cutting-edge startups, a scientific panel on longevity, an art project across Tokyo and the museum Photo Elysée in Lausanne, an amateur photo competition open to the public, and the Swiss Cinema Days, among others.

Check out the events here

Online Amateur Photo Competition - August 22 to October 24 (Award Ceremony October 11)

application deadline: September 22, online, open to all

The “Vitality Through Your Eyes” amateur photo contest invites photography enthusiasts to showcase their unique interpretations of vitality, with the aim of fostering dialogue and co-creation while deepening cultural ties between Switzerland and Japan. Participants are encouraged to creatively capture what vitality means for them. The selected works, chosen by a jury consisting of the Swiss Ambassador and photographers, will be exhibited for two weeks at SHIBAURA HOUSE, with an award ceremony to be held on October 11.

Exhibition Date & Venue: October 9 - 24, 2024, SHIBAURA HOUSE, Tokyo
Organizers: Embassy of Switzerland in Japan and SHIBAURA HOUSE

Swiss-Japan Energy Days - September 10-11

Switzerland and Japan face significant energy and climate challenges. With the anticipated rise in electricity consumption due to electrification and the dependence on energy imports, both nations must strategically realign toward decarbonization to achieve the 2050 net-zero emissions target. The Swiss-Japan Energy Days, held concurrently at ETH Zurich and Swissnex in Japan, will convene leading academics, startups, industry leaders, and policymakers to explore innovative energy solutions.

Venues & Organizers: Consulate of Switzerland in Japan / Swissnex in Japan and the Energy Science Center of Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich)

‘Super Natural!’ exhibition - September 11- October 9

Pristine, precise and prosperous; attractive, safe and reliable – Switzerland and Japan have much in common in the collective imagination. “Super Natural!” explores this mutual fascination through the eyes of photographers of both countries, focusing on sustainability and health. The exhibition explores the cultural seeds, underlying myths and narrative dynamics that foster this remarkable image. Most importantly, it asks how we can reclaim these myths to better address today’s challenges. By looking into one another’s mirror, both countries may be able to better understand themselves by questioning the image they transmit.

Participating artists: Rumi Ando, Esther Vonplon, Keita Kojima, Taisuke Koyama, Delphine Bertin, and Maxime Guyon.
Opening Talk & Reception : Friday, September 13, 18:00 Venue: YAU CENTER｜Yurakucho Art Urbanism YAU, Tokyo

Organizers: Photo Elysée, TOKYO PHOTOGRAPHIC RESEARCH and the Embassy of Switzerland in Japan

Innovative Aging: Economic Vitality in an Aging Society - September 16

On September 16, for Respect for the Aged Day, join a special round table discussion featuring Dr. Hans Groth, Chairman of the World Demographic & Ageing Forum (WDA Forum) and former Pfizer executive; Dr. Thomas Zeltner, CEO ad interim of the WHO Foundation and former Swiss Public Health Minister; and Prof. Charles Yuji Horioka from Kobe University. The panel will address strategies for sustaining economic vitality amid demographic shifts, with a focus on innovative policies, lifelong education, and workforce adaptation. This event presents a unique opportunity to gain insights from leading experts and engage in a critical conversation about the future of our society.

Venue & Organizer: Consulate of Switzerland in Osaka / Swissnex in Japan

Healthy Longevity: Lessons from Japan and Switzerland - September 17

Japan and Switzerland are both faced with the challenges of becoming aging societies. What does that mean for the future of healthcare, wellness, and communities?

This event will unite experts, researchers, and various stakeholders from Japan and Switzerland to delve into the secrets and challenges of healthy longevity by examining how both cultures approach health, wellness, and aging, uncovering similarities and unique strategies. Through captivating presentations and an engaging panel discussion, the speakers will seek to answer three key questions: What do we know? What does it mean? What can be done?

Organizer: Science and Technology Office Tokyo

Travel Switzerland in the “Swisstainable” way - September 24

Switzerland Tourism Japan, together with Swiss Travel System and RailEurope will showcase the best way to discover Switzerland as well as the most sustainable way, by train bus and boat, to contacts within the tourism industry. Examples of Sustainability practices will be shown with a strong focus on the Swisstainable movement of Switzerland Tourism.

Organizer: Switzerland Tourism Japan

Switzerland-Japan Economic Forum 2024 - October 9

The Switzerland-Japan Economic Forum 2024 seeks to enhance awareness and understanding of biodiversity loss, its impact and the urgent need for action to regenerate nature and increase resilience. It brings together business, academic and government leaders from Switzerland and Japan to discuss how we can drive the unavoidable transformation to a nature-positive economy. The Forum aims to showcase recent initiatives, inspire the research of innovative solutions and stimulate action.

Venue: Tokyo Midtown Hall B, Tokyo

Organizers: Embassy of Switzerland in Japan and the Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan, with support by Keidanren (Japan Business Federation).

SWISS PAVILION @ BIOJAPAN 2024 - October 9-11

Discover Switzerland’s groundbreaking advancements in biotechnology and life sciences at the Swiss Pavilion during BioJapan 2024. This pavilion will highlight Switzerland’s leadership in biotechnology and life sciences, giving visitors the opportunity to engage with a diverse array of Swiss companies pioneering advancements in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

This is a unique platform to explore innovative technologies, discuss potential collaborations, experience Switzerland’s dedication to quality and precision in the life sciences field, and to connect with a global network to witness the future of healthcare and biotechnology.

Venue: Pacifico Yokohama, Kanagawa

Organizers: Swiss Business Hub Japan & Switzerland Global Enterprise

Swing Kids Japan Tour 2024 - October 10

The Swing Kids, Switzerland’s acclaimed children’s jazz band, will take the stage at Ebara Cultural Center on October 10. Aged 9 to 17, these young musicians have charmed audiences across Europe and Japan under the guidance of Dai Kimoto, a Japanese trumpeter based in Switzerland. They have a long-lasting heartfelt connection to Japan, having supported communities affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, and are back for what promises to be a memorable musical experience.

Venue: Ebara Cultural Center, Tokyo

Swiss Cinema Days: Documentary Screening “Umi No Oya - 海の親” - October 11

Swiss artist and chef Maya Minder with author and curator Ewen Chardronnet investigate in their work the potential of algae in the ecological transition. In this documentary essay, they explore the legacy of British algologist Kathleen Drew-Baker, whose crucial scientific discovery in 1949 about the life cycles of red algae contributed to the rise of nori aquaculture in post-war Japan. The film pays tribute to Drew as Umi No Oya (海の親) - the mother of the sea - and looks for inspiration in the resilience she instilled in post-war Kyushu to face the new challenges of climate change. On October 11, a preview screening of the film will be held at Shibaura House where the film was partly shot.

Venue: SHIBAURA HOUSE, Tokyo

Organizers: SHIBAURA HOUSE and the Embassy of Switzerland in Japan

Giving a voice to ecosystems Markus Mader @ YOSHINO 20 ART FESTIVAL - October 12 - November 4

In 2023, artist and researcher Marcus Maeder (PhD ETH Zurich) installed IoT sensors on trees in the forest of Nara prefecture to measure growth, drought stress and other environmental factors. He uses the collected data to build artistic experiences that shed light on climate change in a surprising, informed and accessible way. For this new stage of the project, Marcus Maeder will produce a new art-science intervention in a century-old temple in Yoshino, and give conferences and performances in Tokyo to raise awareness about the effects of climate change on ecosystems.

Venue: Mount Yoshino, Yoshino, Nara

Organizers: Yoshino Town, Yoshino Visitors Bureau, Yoshino-Omine World Heritage 20th Anniversary Commemorative Project Council

Kizuna “Open your eyes” - October 13 and 14

A collaborative art project continuing from 2021, Kizuna forges connections between Okinawa and Neuchâtel, featuring artists, musicians, and dancers deeply inspired by Okinawan nature and culture. In this immersive experience, the audience can engage with the performance, through the creation of a banyan tree drawing, symbolizing connection. The project includes Melinda Stampfli (choreography and direction), Cédric Brégnard (scenic design), Laurence Crevoisier (music), Yuji Noguchi (stage direction), and Laurent Novac (videomapping). Performers include Okinawan dancer Tomoko Kin, Ballet Art Tang, Nago Boys and Girls Chorus, and traditional artists Soukei Mijitaya and LUCK.

Venue: Garaman Hall in Ginoza (Okinawa)

Organizer: Kizuna Co-creation Team

9th nexCafé: Playing at Being Human - October 16

Between AI, animal, and Plant Life: an Artistic and Philosophical Experiment. At the upcoming nexCafé event, Swissnex in Japan will present “Playing at Being Human,” a philosophical-artistic experiment that examines the crisis of anthropocentrism by reimagining the relationship between humans and non-humans, both living and technical. This project challenges conventional perspectives by shifting the focus of human identity towards AI, animal, and plant life. The event will feature two video artworks and a panel discussion with directors Frank Westermeyer, artist and associate professor at HEAD–Geneva, and David Zerbib, lecturer in Philosophy of Art at HEAD–Geneva. This event offers a unique opportunity to engage with innovative ideas at the crossroads of philosophy, art, and technology.

Venue & Organizer: Consulate of Switzerland in Osaka / Swissnex in Japan

Swiss Cinema Days: Documentary Screening “Johan, Trial by Fire” End of October, 2024

Originally from the city of Monthey in Valais, Johan Leutwiler devoted half his life to his goal of becoming a Japanese sword smith. Swiss director Romain Guelat depicts his journey as the first foreigner to be officially recognized a Japanese swordsmith. Don’t miss this world premiere.

Venue: Tokyo (TBA)

Organizer: Short Shorts Executive Committee

Details to be released on Sept. 26

Informations on the Swiss Vitality Days events will be regularly updated to the Calendar

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