Tokyo Metropolitan Government Delegation Visit

The visit focused on how Europe, and the Netherlands in particular, is advancing the circular economy through a combination of policy, market mechanisms and practical implementation.

On behalf of Holland Circular Hotspot, Vesna Lavtizar, PhD shared how the EU’s circular transition is increasingly shaped by frameworks such as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which places circularity at the design stage and creates clearer conditions for businesses to scale. Alongside policy, we shared concrete Dutch examples of circular economy in action, including Bollegraaf and Lubo Recycling Solutions, a global leader in recycling technology, and Blue Phoenix, showcasing how bottom ash can be valorised into high-quality secondary raw materials.

This system-level perspective was complemented by Hijmen van Twillert from the Gemeente Rotterdam, who explained how cities translate circular ambitions into practice by actively supporting startups and enabling real-world pilots.

We were further inspired by Jan Jongert, architect at Superuse, who demonstrated how reclaimed building materials can be transformed into high-performing, circular architecture, including the iconic BlueCity (010) in Rotterdam.

The exchange also highlighted an interesting contrast with Japan: while there is no single nationwide regulation comparable to ESPR, circularity is strongly driven by corporate responsibility, product liability, and a cultural focus on product durability and longevity.

Different systems, shared ambition, and plenty of opportunities to learn from one another!