Note: This website was automatically translated, so some terms or nuances may not be completely accurate.
2025 International Exposition Osaka to host for the first time in 55 years!
The host city for the 2025 International Exposition (World Expo) was decided as Osaka at the General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) held in Paris, France, on November 23.
This will be Osaka's second time hosting the Expo, following "EXPO '70" in 1970.
Three cities—Ekaterinburg (Russia), Baku (Azerbaijan), and Osaka—bid for the 2025 Expo.
Japan established a bid committee (Chairman: Sadayuki Sakakibara, Honorary Chairman of Keidanren) primarily composed of Osaka Prefecture/City, the business community, and individuals. Together with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and over 280 official partners and supporters, it has pursued an aggressive bid campaign under an all-Japan framework.
At the BIE General Assembly, each city delivered a 30-minute final presentation ahead of the vote by the 170 member countries.
During Japan's presentation, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko emphasized that the Japanese government is prepared to provide financial support and expert assistance, particularly to developing countries.
Japan received the most votes in the first ballot but fell short of the required two-thirds majority. After a runoff vote against Russia, Japan secured the hosting rights by surpassing Russia.
Chairman Sakakibara, Osaka Governor Ichiro Matsui, and other officials who attended the General Assembly and watched the results erupted in joy.
At the Hotel Rihga Royal NCB in Osaka's Kita Ward, approximately 500 people, including Diet members, representatives from Osaka Prefecture and City, and business leaders involved in the bid, gathered for a live viewing event of the BIE General Assembly. At the moment of the decision, everyone stood up, sharing the joy with the venue, breaking a ceremonial ball, and celebrating the win with three cheers of "Banzai!"
The Osaka Expo will be held for 185 days, from May 3 to November 3, 2025, on 155 hectares of the 390-hectare artificial island "Yumeshima" (roughly 100 times the size of Koshien Stadium) in western Osaka.
The theme is "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," with the subtheme "Diverse and Healthy Ways of Living: Sustainable Social and Economic Systems." Based on the concept of a "People's Living Lab," it aims to create a society where the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are achieved and to realize Japan's national strategy "Society 5.0."
Over 160 pavilions from 150 countries and international organizations are expected to participate. The event anticipates approximately 28 million visitors and an estimated economic ripple effect of around ¥2 trillion.
Osaka Prefecture and City are also pursuing an Integrated Resort (IR) on adjacent land within Yumeshima in 2024, the year before the Expo. Alongside the Expo, the IR is expected to be a key driver of Japan's economy following the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
Official Bid Committee Website:
https://www.expo2025-osaka-japan.jp/
Was this article helpful?
Share this article
