Expo 2025 in Japan: Five Things to Know
Osaka, Japan: A multi-eyed mascot, a vast wooden Grand Ring, 160 countries and regions strutting their stuff, and robots and sushi galore: Expo 2025 began on Sunday in Osaka, Japan.
World Expo is held every five years in different global locations. Here are five things to know about this event, which runs until mid-October.
- Grand Ring
Encircling dozens of national pavilions is the Grand Ring — recognised by Guinness World Records as the planet’s largest wooden architectural structure.
Architect Sou Fujimoto says his edifice, which cost 34.4 billion yen ($230 million) and has a circumference of two kilometres (1.2 miles), is a symbol of unity.
Latticed beams hold up a sloping roof, 20 metres (65 feet) tall at its highest point, which doubles as a “skywalk”.
Fujimoto told AFP that he chose wood as a sustainable material. However, Japanese media report that only 12.5 percent of the temporary structure will be reused — down from the original plan of 25 percent.
- ‘Mysterious’ Mascot
Myaku-Myaku, Expo 2025’s mascot, is red and blue with five googly eyes dotted around its smiling mouth — and one more on its bobbly red tail.
It is described as “a mysterious creature born from the fusion of cells and water,” by event organisers.
“Basking in the sunlight is the source of its energy” and sometimes the shape-shifting Myaku-Myaku “forgets its original form,” they say.
Despite initial puzzled reactions, the mascot has become popular on social media in Japan, even inspiring fan art.
- Slow Sales
This is Osaka’s second World Expo, after the 1970 edition that was attended by 64 million people, a record until Shanghai in 2010.
Back then, the first IMAX film was shown, and visitors admired Moon rocks brought back by astronauts.
This time, however, ticket sales have been slow, and many locals are critical of the construction being 27 percent over budget.
Organisers aim to sell 23 million tickets, but as of last week, only 8.7 million had been sold.
To attract more attendees, same-day admission will now be allowed.
- Meteorites and Marley
Japan’s pavilion features a meteorite from Mars, discovered in Antarctica — displayed to the public for the first time.
Visitors can also enjoy Japan’s longest sushi conveyor belt, cutting-edge robots, drone shows, and a beating “heart” grown from stem cells.
The U.S. pavilion, themed “America the Beautiful”, offers an LED-screen NASA rocket launch simulator.
Other attractions include five heart-shaped “Love and Peace” rocks visitors can help polish, and the Jamaica pavilion, featuring life-size statues of Bob Marley, Usain Bolt, and a bobsleigh.
- Ukraine ‘Peace’
Russia, which invaded Ukraine in 2022, announced last year that it would not participate in the Expo.
However, Ukraine is present despite its financial constraints due to the ongoing war — a move Osaka’s governor says “conveys peace.”
Ukraine’s pavilion will reportedly feature 18 objects, including helmets used in the restoration of power facilities damaged by Russian attacks.
