Will Expo 2025 Give the Kinki Region the Boost It Needs?

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Despite the ongoing 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, the Kinki region continues to struggle with weak economic sentiment. This was underscored in the Cabinet Office's May Economy Watchers Survey.

In contrast, Okinawa Prefecture, where the theme park JUNGLIA OKINAWA is set to open on July 25, currently boasts the highest economic sentiment in the country.

With roughly four months left until the Expo concludes, can the Kinki region close the gap and overcome this regional disparity?

Tracking Economic Mood

The Economy Watchers Survey is a monthly questionnaire that asks respondents whether they feel the economy is "good" or "bad." It was introduced in 2000 by Taichi Sakaiya, a novelist from Osaka. Sakaiya played a key role in the 1970 World Expo during his tenure as Secretary of the Economic Planning Agency, which is now the Cabinet Office.

The results, compiled for Japan as a whole and also by twelve regions, are referred to as the streetcorner economy. They are used to gauge the "gut feelings" of people who closely observe economic trends.

*A new route connecting the East and West Gates opens at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, allowing visitors to walk between them in Konohana Ward, Osaka City.*

Approximately 2,000 individuals participate in the survey each month. They include taxi drivers, retail store owners, small and medium-sized business operators, as well as employees of department stores, supermarkets, and restaurants.

Their perceptions of the economy compared to three months ago are measured by a Diffusion Index called Current Economic Conditions. A score above 50 indicates that the economy is improving.

In May, the Current Economic Conditions Index for the entire country rose to 44.4, a 1.8-point bump from the previous month. That marked the first improvement in five months. Of the 12 regions, 11 saw a rise, while the Chubu region was the only area to decline, dropping by 2.3 points.

Kinki's Sluggish Growth

The Kinki region saw a slight increase of 0.8 points in May compared to April, reaching 45.1. However, among the 11 regions showing positive sentiment, it recorded the smallest change. Since February, the Kinki region index has stayed below 50. That is the threshold that separates boom from bust.

Meanwhile, the Osaka-Kansai Expo opened on April 13. While it was expected to provide a boost, its effect on the economic outlook has been minimal. "The Expo's impact is insufficient at the moment," says Masayuki Sato, a researcher at the NLI Research Institute.

*Osaka-Kansai Expo opening night at Yumeshima, Konohana Ward, Osaka City, April 13. The pavilions are being illuminated, accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display. (©Kotaro Hikono)*

Nevertheless, in the May survey, some observers did note encouraging signs from the Expo. Still, its reach is limited, and many people have not yet experienced it, which may help explain the lack of widespread enthusiasm across the Kinki region.

One respondent, for instance, noted that although the Expo mascot is popular and stores at Shinkansen stops and terminal stations are performing well, "other stations are not benefiting as much." This suggests that the positive impact may be limited to specific transportation hubs.

Another respondent said, "The large number of charter buses used for the Expo has made it difficult to reserve buses, leading to a decline in group visits to other leisure facilities."

There are also concerns that the Expo is drawing customers away from other tourist destinations in the Kinki region, dampening overall excitement in the area.

Okinawa's Economic Buzz

By juxtaposition, Okinawa has consistently outperformed the Kinki region over the past six months. In both April and May, it recorded positive growth for two consecutive months compared to the previous months.

Sato at the NLI believes there are several contributing factors. For example, easing concerns over Trump tariffs, a rebound in inbound tourism, and high expectations for Junglia Okinawa, a planned development in northern Okinawa.

Junglia is a nature-based theme park scheduled to open near the World Natural Heritage Site of Yanbaru. Built around the concept of "Power Vacance!," it blends expansive forests with cutting-edge technology.

The park offers over 20 attractions, including encounters with lifelike dinosaur robots in the forest and scenic rides in large balloons. Additionally, visitors can enjoy a variety of restaurants and shops. The park's total area is approximately 60 hectares, or about 13 times the size of Tokyo Dome.

Junglia Theme Park Boost

In the May survey, there were no mentions of Junglia Okinawa in the Current Economic Conditions Index. However, it appeared frequently in the Future Economic Conditions Index, which reflects expectations for the next two to three months.

For example, one respondent in the survey noted: "In addition to the expected demand for tourism during the summer vacation period, the opening of a large leisure facility is likely to slightly boost the economy in the next two to three months."

*Bird's-eye view rendering of Junglia, set to open in Okinawa in 2025. (Provided by Japan Entertainment)*

Another comment said: "The opening of the large leisure facility is expected to draw more attention to Okinawa and increase the number of tourists."

Sato believes that the rising expectations reflected in the Future Economic Conditions Index are beginning to influence the Current Economic Conditions Index.

Aside from its appealing attractions, Okinawa's smaller geographic size compared to the Kinki region allows a large theme park to have a more noticeable impact.

The benefits of the Expo have yet to be fully felt across the Kinki region. With the busy summer vacation season approaching, there is an urgent need to channel visitor interest beyond the Expo venue but also toward the region's many existing attractions.

Author: Nobuhiko Yamaguchi

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