Girl with a Pearl Earring travels to Japan as The Hague strengthens ties on culture, cybersecurity and local leadership
The Hague’s world-renowned Girl with a Pearl Earring is travelling to Japan this week, accompanied by a delegation from the Netherlands. While Johannes Vermeer’s masterpiece will take centre stage in Osaka, the visit will also open doors for new cooperation between The Hague’s peace and justice ecosystem and Japan.
The exhibition Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring: Dutch Masterpieces of the 17th Century
JapanIn Osaka, Johannes Vermeer’s masterpiece will take centre stage in the exhibition Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring: Dutch Masterpieces of the 17th Century. Hague Mayor Van Zanen will represent the City of The Hague at the official opening on Thursday.
The Girl’s visit is part of a wider mission connecting The Hague with partners across Japan.
The role of cities and local governments
In Japan, Van Zanen meets Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and the mayors of Osaka and Kyoto, Hideyuki Yokoyama and Koji Matsui. The meetings will focus, among other topics, on the role cities and local governments can play in addressing international challenges. The programme also includes a visit to the Kyoto Museum for World Peace.
Girl with a Pearl Earring
Nakanoshima Museum of Art in OsakaThe Girl with a Pearl Earring will be on display at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka from 21 August to 27 September 2026, alongside eleven other works from the Mauritshuis collection.
The painting rarely leaves The Hague but has previously travelled to Japan during the renovation of the museum between 2012 and 2014.
The exceptional loan coincides with the temporary closure of the Mauritshuis.
Cybersecurity as part of The Hague's peace and justice ecosystem
South KoreaAfter visiting Japan, the Mayor will continue the trip with a visit to South Korea, where the focus will expand to cybersecurity as an important part of The Hague’s peace and justice ecosystem. Meetings in Seoul will explore opportunities for cybersecurity companies considering European expansion and a potential presence in The Hague. Mayor Van Zanen will also meet former judges who have worked in The Hague, reinforcing the longstanding ties between South Korea and the city’s international legal community.
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Van Zanen will visit WeGO, the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization, and travel to Daejeon for meetings with the city’s mayor and KAIST, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
The longstanding connection between The Hague and South Korea will be marked with a wreath-laying at the Yi Jun Memorial in Seoul. Korean diplomat Yi Jun travelled to The Hague in 1907 during the Second Hague Peace Conference and died in the city.
From Vermeer in Osaka to cybersecurity in Seoul, the mission uses longstanding international ties to explore new partnerships – while one of The Hague’s most famous residents enjoys a temporary stay in Japan.