A drone show was presented at the venue on the closing day of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, culminating in the appearance of a large image of the Expo mascot Myaku-Myaku in the sky. (©Sankei by Masahiro Sakai)
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After a 184-day run, the curtain has fallen on Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan (Expo).
A total of 158 countries and regions participated in the event, which attracted over 25 million visitors. The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition estimates the Expo will end up in the black to the tune of between ¥23 billion and ¥28 billion JPY ($152 and $185 million USD).
Expo 2025 unfolded in ways that reflect our times. Visitors discovered their own strategies for enjoying the event, which they shared on social media. People viewing these posts then visited themselves, updated the information, and, in turn, shared it with others.
This expanding circle of shared information gave birth to a collective consciousness and kept the event's focus on its visitors. Scenes of bustling activity proved those who forecast poor attendance before the opening were wrong. By all accounts, Expo 2025 should be judged a success.
A Quirky Mascot
Costs for building the venue doubled from the time when Osaka was chosen to host the World Expo in November 2018, before the COVID-19 pandemic. Prices for construction materials rose, among other factors. Construction of the overseas pavilions fell way behind schedule and, before the opening, concerns about budget deficits and safety overshadowed expectations. Due to these factors, the Osaka-Kansai Expo had acquired a decidedly negative image before it even opened.
However, that picture began to change as soon as Expo goers began sharing their impressions of how "wonderful" and "great" the experience was on social media.
Free maps suggesting efficient ways to navigate the Expo grounds and places to eat and drink became widely circulated. That expanded options for how eventgoers could best enjoy their visits.
And, as the Expo's reputation grew, the quirky official mascot Myaku-Myaku, which had initially been met with considerable derision, became immensely popular. Expo-themed goods began flying off the shelves. Areas around Myaku-Myaku statues within the venue and at Osaka City Hall also became popular photo spots.
In the early stage, there were days when the number of general visitors fell below 100,000. However, in August, the average rose to around 150,000, and from September onwards it exceeded 200,000 every day.
Designing Future Society
The Expo site included eight pavilions where visitors could experience the event theme, "Designing Future Society for Our Lives." There were fascinating exhibits provoking visitors to think about what life will be like when human beings coexist with artificial intelligence and androids.
Media artist Yoichi Ochiai, who served as event producer, praised the atmosphere that prevailed at the venue. He marveled at the "Expo folk" who enjoyed themselves regardless of the long lines and the "gung-ho" spirit displayed by venue staff.
The "flying cars," which were the main attraction of the "testing ground for future society" concept, only performed demonstration flights. Nevertheless, as takeoff and landing sites advance, commercial operations of such flying vehicles are expected to begin around 2027.
Cutting-edge technologies were on display, such as a beating iPS heart and a self-driving tractor powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. They were harbingers of innovative approaches to solving various social issues facing the world.
People from Around the World Came Together
Expo also offered a terrific opportunity for people of all ages and genders to experience the world through various entry points, such as culture and food.
As Russia continued its relentless invasion, Ukraine used its exhibition booths to convey the harsh reality of daily life during the prolonged war. Its exhibits included videos of underground shelters.
The event was not without problems. Taiwan was not allowed to join the Bureau International des Expositions. BIE is the organization in charge of overseeing and regulating world expos. Therefore, Taiwan was unable to exhibit at a pavilion of its own. Undeterred, it instead exhibited under the aegis of a private company registered in Japan.
Regrettably, in March, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested that it be clearly labeled as a private sector exhibition. That unfortunate move could negatively impact Japan-Taiwan friendship.
Avoiding a 'Negative Legacy'
Expo's impact on areas outside the Kansai region, such as Tokyo, was limited. A strict "reservation system" had been adopted to ensure security. However, it proved too complicated and inflexible, unable to accommodate last-minute demands and causing difficulties for visitors.
Beginning at the end of September, holders of unused tickets were allowed to exchange them for same-day tickets. As a result, long lines began forming early every morning. That made it even more difficult for people from outside the Kansai region to attend.
The organizers need to conduct a post-mortem on why long lines became the norm despite their proclaimed aim of creating a "line-free Expo."
Regarding the construction of the overseas pavilions, the Expo Association has been contacted about unpaid construction costs for 11 countries. In some cases, lawsuits have even been filed. We hope the national government, Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, and the Expo Association will deal with these cases appropriately in order to avoid leaving a negative legacy.
Goodwill of the Wooden Grand Ring
The huge wooden "Grand Ring" was the symbol of the Expo. However, current plans call for only 200 meters of its two-kilometer circumference to be left standing. Meanwhile, the surrounding area is expected to become a park and green space. Plans to relocate the pavilions and exhibits are also underway.
Disposition of the surplus profits will also be considered when the government establishes a new panel of experts to review the results of the Expo.
What kind of legacy will Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai leave behind, and how will it be preserved? Action is needed to ensure that its vision does not become just a fleeting memory.
The event's significance as an example of global public good will be fulfilled only if the seeds born at Expo 2025 bear fruit as beacons for the creation of a better future society.
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Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
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