Kansai Event report
Inauguration of the France Pavilion and Meeting with Minister Laurent Saint-Martin
![[Translate to Anglais:] Inauguration du Pavillon France, Crédit © Kentaro Takahashi](http://aws-a.medias-ccifi.org/fileadmin/_processed_/9/3/csm_Copy_of_R0035285_dcbfe83914.jpg "[Translate to Anglais:] Inauguration du Pavillon France, Crédit © Kentaro Takahashi")
Sunday, April 13 was a particularly eventful and meaningful day for our Kansai regional office. We first took part in the official inauguration of the France Pavilion at the Expo 2025 Osaka, followed in the evening by a reception in honor of Mr. Laurent Saint-Martin, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade.
The inauguration of the France Pavilion marks the beginning of an exceptional venture between France and Japan. Through this outstanding showcase, France aims to highlight the richness and diversity of its talents. A true ambassador of French excellence, the Pavilion promotes our unique know-how while embodying a France that is open, bold, sustainable, and resolutely focused on innovation, at the heart of a major international event.
No fewer than 250 distinguished guests gathered for the occasion, including:
Laurent Saint-Martin, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade
Yoshitaka Itō, Japanese Minister for Expo 2025
Anne Genetet, Member of Parliament for the 11th constituency of French citizens abroad
Céline Calvez, Member of Parliament for the 5th constituency of Hauts-de-Seine
Hirofumi Yoshimura, Governor of Osaka Prefecture
Hideyuki Yokoyama, Mayor of Osaka
Philippe Setton, Ambassador of France to Japan
Marc-Antoine Jamet, Secretary General of LVMH
Jacques Maire, Commissioner General of the France Pavilion
Sophie Marceau, actress and official patron of the France Pavilion
Teddy Riner, judo champion and official ambassador of the France Pavilion
To offer our regional business community a privileged setting to meet Minister Laurent Saint-Martin, the CCIFJ organized an evening reception in his honor at WET BAR & DECK of the ultra-modern W Osaka Hotel.
The Minister addressed the guests, celebrating the long-standing friendship between France and Japan, reaffirming the desire to strengthen partnerships between the two nations, encouraging economic, scientific, and cultural cooperation, and expressing a vision for the future that is both optimistic and inclusive.
