Expo 2025, officially known as the World Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, is an upcoming international exposition scheduled to take place from April 13 to October 13, 2025, on Yumeshima Island in Osaka Bay. This event marks the third time Osaka has hosted a World Expo, following previous expositions in 1970 and 1990.

Theme and Objectives

The central theme of Expo 2025 is “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” focusing on envisioning and creating a sustainable and human-centered future. The exposition is structured around three sub-themes:

1. Saving Lives: Addressing global health challenges, including infant vaccinations, sanitation, lifestyle improvements, and extending lifespans.
2. Empowering Lives: Enhancing individual potential through education, technology, and social initiatives.
3. Connecting Lives: Fostering global collaboration and understanding across cultures and societies.

The concept of the Expo is described as a “People’s Living Lab,” aiming to serve as a platform where cutting-edge technologies and ideas converge to tackle global issues and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Venue and Infrastructure

Yumeshima Island, an artificial island in Osaka Bay, has been selected as the venue for Expo 2025. To enhance accessibility, a 3.2-kilometer extension of the Osaka Metro Chuo Line has been constructed, connecting the current terminus at Cosmosquare Station to the newly established Yumeshima Station, which opened on January 19, 2025.

Participation and Pavilions

The Expo is expected to attract participation from approximately 150 countries and 25 international organizations, as well as numerous companies, NGOs, and citizen groups worldwide. These participants will present initiatives aimed at creating a future society, providing a vision for achieving the SDGs and beyond.

Mascot

The official mascot for Expo 2025 is Myaku-Myaku, a unique and amorphous character symbolizing the continuous flow of life and connections among people. Designed by illustrator Kouhei Yamashita, Myaku-Myaku has gained popularity for its distinctive appearance and representation of the Expo’s themes.

Significance

Expo 2025 aims to be a participatory, experiential, and solutions-oriented exposition, providing a platform for global collaboration to address pressing challenges facing humanity. By bringing together diverse perspectives and innovations, the Expo seeks to inspire and co-create a sustainable and inclusive future society.

For more information and updates, please visit the official Expo 2025 website: www.expo2025.or.jp/en/