Osaka is gearing up to host the highly anticipated World Expo 2025, set to take place in mid-April on the artificial island of Yumeshima. This significant international event will feature participation from 158 countries and regions, all united under the theme "Designing Future Society for Our Lives." With a vision to attract over 28 million visitors, the expo promises to be a hub for innovation, cultural exchange, and collaboration aimed at addressing key global challenges.
The expo's site spans an impressive 155 hectares, equivalent to about 220 football fields, and has been crafted as a playground for some of the world’s leading architectural minds. Among the standout structures will be the Grand Ring, a remarkable wooden formation designed by renowned Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto. The Grand Ring, which measures 2 kilometers in circumference, is constructed primarily from wood sourced within Japan, including materials from Fukushima prefecture.
As of mid-January, construction progress has been somewhat lagging, with only three pavilions completed and concerns that up to ten may not meet the opening deadline. Despite these challenges, the expo is set to feature 47 pavilions around the event site. Ticket sales have also fallen short of expectations, with just over half of the 14 million tickets sold thus far. Most of these tickets have been purchased by companies, raising questions about general public interest in the event.
Dimitri Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), noted that the ticketing system has changed from previous expos. “In previous expos, (you can use) tickets any day you want to,” he explained. “(But this time), people have to buy (a ticket) and book a reservation slot (to visit) and that also could mean people are delaying the purchase until they are ready to book that actual slot.”
The expo aims to bring together countries, private firms, civil society groups, and non-governmental organizations to discuss solutions for pressing global challenges. Participants hope to foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration on various issues affecting societies worldwide.
The Singapore pavilion is one of the most innovative designs at the expo, taking the form of a giant red ball named Dream Sphere. Carrie Kwik, representing the Singapore pavilion, shared insights into its unique design. “From afar, it looks like a red dot. But as you get close you can see it’s actually covered by over 17,000 recycled discs.” She further emphasized that the pavilion's message is about harmony: “Our message really is that dreams create future possibilities and this will be reflected in Singapore as a country, a place where animals, nature, wildlife and people live harmoniously together.”
Fujimoto elaborated on the design approach of the Grand Ring, stating, “Traditionally we will use wooden plugs. But here because of the large scale and because of the latest architecture regulations, we need stronger joints.” He added that they combined traditional wooden columns with metal joints to enhance structural integrity: “That’s why we combined metal joints and wooden columns and timber together to upgrade traditional methods for the future.”
As excitement builds towards the commencement of the World Expo 2025, local officials remain optimistic about the potential influx of visitors. Satoru Uemura stated, “I am telling our staff to prepare for the expo as there will be more visitors, and to convey to them the appeal of Japan and Osaka.” However, not everyone shares this optimism. Local resident Tomoharu Fukuda expressed skepticism about public interest: “I do not yet feel any excitement or expectations. I’ve not met anyone who has said they wished to go or has purchased a ticket.”
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