Finally! For the past 8 years I have been wondering why there was no working holiday agreement between the Netherlands and Japan. In the 1600s we were the only country from the west that was allowed to trade with Japan, and since then our bond has been quite good. Nevertheless, while the Germans, French, English, Austrians, Hungarians, Norwegians, Portugese, Polish, Danish, Irish, Slovaks, Spanish, Czech, Lithuanians, Icelanders were able to work, stay and travel in Japan for a year, the Dutch weren't. 

But, things have changed :D. This week I finally saw the news that there now will be a working holiday visum for Dutch citizens going to Japan. This will allow youth from both countries to support their travels in the other country and to experience the culture in a different way. The programme will kick-off on the 1st of April 2020 (hopefully not an April Fools joke!). 

For more information, follow the Japanese embassy's website!