OSAKA, Japan. The highly anticipated Expo 2025 officially opened on Sunday at Yumeshima, or “dream island,” in Osaka, Japan, with a powerful message of global unity and futuristic vision. The event kicked off with over 10,000 voices singing Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, symbolizing harmony in a world increasingly divided by conflict and crises.
A Vision for the Future
This year’s theme, “Creating a Future Society for Our Lives,” sets the tone for the six-month international exposition, which brings together over 160 countries, regions, and organizations to showcase innovative ideas and cutting-edge technology inside approximately 80 uniquely designed pavilions.
The Expo is hosted on a reclaimed industrial waste site in Osaka Bay and marks the city’s second time holding the event since its landmark success in 1970, which attracted a record-breaking 64 million visitors — a feat unmatched until Shanghai’s Expo in 2010.
“It’s been 55 years since the last Expo in Osaka. I’ve been looking forward to it,” said Daiki Chiba, who traveled from Sendai, about 900 kilometers (560 miles) away.
Visitors, many clad in red, blue, and white in tribute to the Expo’s official mascot Myaku-Myaku, brought a festive energy to Yumeshima. The mysterious creature, described by organizers as born from “a fusion of cells and water in a small spring in the Kansai region,” quickly became a crowd favorite.
A Timely Gathering
The Osaka Expo comes on the heels of a turbulent global landscape: from ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East to trade disputes and economic uncertainty. Still, organizers see the timing as opportune.
“I think the timing is actually quite fitting,” said Sachiko Yoshimura, head of global communications for Expo 2025. “Holding the Expo now could eventually help to address the divisions in the world. … I believe this Expo in Japan might actually lead to stronger international relationships and improvements.”
The Grand Ring: An Architectural Marvel
Dominating the venue is the Grand Ring, a lattice-like wooden structure encircling the site. Designed by renowned architect Sou Fujimoto, the 20-meter high, 2-kilometer long ring has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest wooden architecture in the world.
While a highlight, the ring has drawn criticism due to its high cost, accounting for more than 14% of the Expo’s total budget of 235 billion yen (around $1.64 billion). A weakened yen and construction delays have compounded its expense, resulting in several country pavilions—including Nepal, India, Vietnam, and Chile—not being ready for opening day.
The structure is designed to be partially reusable, reflecting the event’s emphasis on sustainability and the future.
Innovations, Pop Culture, and Global Messages
Exhibits at Expo 2025 range from advanced robotics, flying cars, and health tech to displays of pop culture icons like Hello Kitty and Gundam. Visitors can explore concepts like ocean sustainability at the Blue Ocean Dome or interact with robots at the Future of Life Pavilion.
A highlight at the Japanese healthcare pavilion was a functioning artificial heart made from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS). Meanwhile, a nostalgic throwback — the “human washing machine” that wowed visitors in 1970 — returned with a high-tech upgrade.
The United States pavilion focuses on space exploration, reviving interest in lunar missions with a display of the Apollo 12 lunar stone. China’s pavilion showcases lunar soil samples, echoing its own space ambitions.
One of the most emotionally powerful displays came from Ukraine. Decorated in blue-and-yellow national flags and marked “Not for sale,” its exhibit uses barcodes that allow visitors to scan and watch videos of life during war and efforts to rebuild. According to creative director Dymtro Liuyi, Ukraine’s participation wasn’t confirmed until December. “The preparation was finished Sunday morning,” he said, showing blue paint still on his fingers.
A Global Festival of Hope
Despite challenges, the spirit of Expo 2025 is one of hope, innovation, and global solidarity.
“We want this Expo to offer a glimpse of a better, shared future,” said one organizer. “From crisis can come connection — that’s the goal.”
Expo 2025 will run for six months, drawing millions of visitors from around the world to imagine, experience, and build toward a new kind of future.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
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