The World Expo has officially begun in Osaka, Japan. The exposition runs from April 13 to Oct. 13 under the theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.”  

In 2018, Japan competed against Russia and Azerbaijan to host this year’s World Expo. After a secret ballot, Osaka was officially nominated to host the 2025 World Expo, marking the second time the city has held the event. The first was an extraordinarily successful exhibition in 1970.  

The core concept of the event is the People’s Living Lab. Before the expo's launch, an online platform was created to share challenges and solutions from around the world. This event is seen not only as a place to visit exhibits but also as a venue for innovation and collaboration in shaping the future of society.  

In addition to the main theme of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” there are subthemes of “Saving Lives,” “Empowering Lives” and “Connecting Lives.” The subtheme “Saving Lives” emphasizes the importance of vaccinating children and promoting a healthy lifestyle. The expo is hosted on Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay.

At the heart of the site is the Grand Ring, a massive wooden structure over a mile long. Recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest wooden structure in the world, the Grand Ring's architect, Sou Fujimoto, describes it as a symbol of unity.  

At the center of the expo is the pavilion area, where each participating nation will have its own pavilion, alongside several domestic pavilions from Japan. Notable pavilions include France’s staircase pavilion, Saudi Arabia’s village pavilion and the United States’ minimalistic pavilion.

Japan’s mascot for the event is Myaku-Myaku, which means “steadily pulsing.” This quirky, friendly creature made of water and red cells has gained immense popularity in Japan, with merchandise selling out within minutes.  

The 2025 World Expo is shaping up to be a spectacular event. While the number of visitors did not reach the estimated counts in the first week, expectations remain high, with the one-millionth visitor reported on the tenth day of the event. Overall, Japan’s World Expo looks to be an extraordinary experience.

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