In his speech opening the National Day of Hungary on Saturday, President Tamás Sulyok said the 2025 World Expo taking place in Osaka, Japan, from 13 April to 13 October "not only inspires but shows the way and emboldens action".

Commenting on the topic of the expo, the "super-smart society" aimed at harnessing information technology to benefit people, President Sulyok said societal changes entailed "searching for new ways to make the future livable ... [with] the use of cutting-edge technologies."

The president said the main issues determining the future would be "ways to promote the peaceful coexistence of nations and cultures, respect for the dignity of human life, the protection of the Earth and a sustainable environment" and the role of communities.

The president praised Japan as "an inspiration to the world culturally and economically". He also said the "special relationship between Hungary and Japan" must be further strengthened.

Takeuchi Shinji, Japan's state secretary for economy, trade and industry, noted that Hungary and Japan launched diplomatic relations in 1869, and had been "deepening its friendly ties for more than 150 years, with excellent cooperation in many areas in economy, politics, culture and science."