COVID-19 pandemic responses were organized by countries according to their needs. The preparations for responses to potential future pandemics are currently addressed by organizations including RIKEN, Karolinska Institutet and SciLifeLab with prominent roles in Japan and Sweden, respectively. This symposium event, which is part of the RIKEN-KI-SciLifeLab Symposium Series, addresses the political, organizational and practical aspects of preparedness for potentially upcoming pandemics with focus on Japan and Sweden.