For the next 6 months
The long-anticipated Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai officially opened its doors on April 13, welcoming the first wave of visitors to its expansive 155-hectare site on Yumeshima Island. Marking the beginning of six months of global cultural exchange, innovation, and dialogue, the event started with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a spectacular opening, attended by dignitaries, performers, and participants from around the world.
This year’s World Expo, held under the theme ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives,’ aims to address some of humanity’s most pressing issues. Focusing on co-creation, sustainability, and technological innovation, the event is a global stage where nations and organisations present their visions for a better tomorrow.
The opening day ceremony was grand, featuring a flag-raising ritual for Japan and the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), as well as a procession of international delegations. Music, dance, and ceremonial performances filled the air as Japan celebrated hosting its third World Expo—and the second in Osaka, following the landmark 1970 event.
Japan’s Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, was among the keynote speakers at the inauguration. He voiced his hopes for the Expo to become a catalyst for unity in diversity, underscoring the importance of meaningful exchanges among global visitors inside and outside the Expo’s symbolic Grand Ring.
“I look forward to the Expo catalysing the achievement of unity in diversity,” Ishiba said. Interactions between visitors worldwide and Japan will be vital to this goal.”
Central concept
The Expo’s central concept—People’s Living Lab—encapsulates its ambition to serve as a living, breathing experiment in future living. Designed as a Future Society Showcase, the Expo integrates forward-looking technologies and sustainable practices, offering an immersive experience rooted in its three subthemes: Saving Lives, Connecting Lives, and Empowering Lives.
In total, 159 countries and seven international organisations are participating in Expo 2025, each housed in a pavilion that interprets the core theme through their unique cultural and technological lenses.
Alongside these international pavilions, Japan showcases its domestic offerings, including eight Signature Pavilions created by prominent producers and thinkers. These specialised exhibits delve into healthcare themes, environmental stewardship, digital innovation, and more.
The Expo grounds are not just about display—they are about participation. Across its six-month duration, the event will host a vibrant array of public events, business forums, and cultural experiences. The festivities started in high style with a live concert by J-pop sensation Ado, who attracted a crowd of approximately 10,000 fans to the main Expo Arena.
Beyond music and performance, Expo 2025 also includes in-depth seminars, business networking opportunities, and community-led workshops. A particularly significant component is the eight dedicated Theme Weeks. Each will spotlight a specific global issue tied to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS), fostering international collaboration and in-depth discussion on solutions to shared challenges.
BIE Secretary-General Dimitri S. Kerkentzes described the Expo 2025 site as a “place of peace and discovery.” They emphasised the event’s role as a hub for creativity, inclusion, and collaborative innovation.
“Over the next six months, Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai will serve as a hub for innovation and collaboration, where ideas that empower lives, protect lives and connect lives become a reality,” he said.
World Expos
World Expos, officially called International Registered Exhibitions, are rare and prestigious events overseen by the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions. Held every five years, these events offer a platform for nations to address critical global challenges through engaging and interactive experiences.
The last World Expo was held in Dubai, with the theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future. ‘ It drew over 24 million visitors before it closed in March 2022.
Looking ahead, the baton will pass from Osaka to Riyadh, where Saudi Arabia is set to host the next World Expo from October 2030 to March 2031 under the theme ‘Foresight for Tomorrow.’
Japan has a long and distinguished history with international exhibitions. In 1970, it became the first Asian nation to host a World’s Fair, which drew more than 64 million visitors and set a record for the most-visited Expo of the 20th century. Since then, Japan has hosted multiple Specialised and Horticultural Expos, each reinforcing the country’s commitment to global dialogue and innovation.
Japan will host another international gathering in 2027—a Horticultural Expo in Yokohama. Titled Scenery of the Future for Happiness, the event will further explore sustainable urban development and environmental harmony.
As the gates of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai swung open, visitors stepped into more than just a fairground—they were entering a collaborative space where global challenges were addressed through imagination, dialogue, and shared action. The months ahead promise a rich mix of cultural showcases, cutting-edge innovations, and impactful discussions that aim to shape the blueprint of our future society.
Yumeshima Island will be a beacon of global cooperation and forward-thinking design for the next half-year. With its vast network of contributors, inclusive vision, and commitment to sustainability, Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai is poised to leave a lasting mark on Japan and the world stage.
Hero image: A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the opening of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, on April 13, 2025. Credit: Expo 2025
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