Osaka, one of Japan’s oldest cities, is preparing to host the World Expo 2025, sparking a blend of excitement and nostalgia. The city is buzzing with Expo preparations, featuring its distinctive red-and-blue mascot “Myaku-Myaku,” while residents reflect on Japan’s last World Expo, held in 1970 in Suita, just north of Osaka.
For many in Osaka, Expo ’70 was a pivotal moment. Visitors flocked to see moon rocks at the US pavilion, electric car prototypes, and the earliest Ethernet cables. The event offered ordinary Japanese citizens a rare opportunity for direct interaction with international visitors and cultures, helping shape their worldview. Takahiro Shinyo, a former Japanese ambassador, recalls how his role as an interpreter at Expo ’70 influenced his diplomatic career, emphasizing the importance of global cooperation and human ingenuity.
Scheduled from April 13 to October 13, 2025, the upcoming expo aims to attract 28.2 million visitors, with over 3 million from abroad. The event will take place on a man-made island off Osaka’s western coast, created using the same technology that built Kansai International Airport. While the fair promises futuristic innovations like flying cars, its main focus is international cooperation and unity, not just technological advancements.
However, not everyone is on board with the excitement. Rising construction costs, political conflicts, and memories of Japan’s difficult experience hosting the Tokyo Olympics during the pandemic have led some to question whether World Expos remain relevant. But Osaka’s older residents believe the event holds more importance than ever, offering a platform for personal, face-to-face exchanges that transcend online communication.
Visitors eager to get a preview of the World Expo’s impact can visit ExpoCity, the former site of Expo ’70. The area still features the iconic “Tower of the Sun” sculpture, the immersive Expo ’70 Pavilion, and memorabilia galleries.
Expo 2025 is expected to bring Osaka global attention, with nearly 5 million tickets already sold. Tickets range from 4,000 to 6,700 yen, depending on entry days, and can be purchased online.
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