Japan Expo Approaching: Less Than 20% of Overseas Pavilions Completed

The 2025 Osaka World Expo in Japan is set to take place from April 13th to October 13th, which means the opening is just one month away. The preparations for the overseas self-built pavilions, known as the “beauty of the Expo,” are progressing, but only less than two-fifths of the 47 “Class A” pavilions have obtained construction completion certificates.

The upcoming Osaka World Expo, themed “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” is a highly anticipated international event of 2025 that aims to create a blueprint for a future society that shines with vitality. The expo will be held on the picturesque man-made island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay. These large-scale expos are held every five years, each with a different host country and theme.

According to information released by the Japan Association for the International Expositions as of December 2024, 161 countries and regions, along with 9 international organizations, are anticipated to participate in the event in Osaka.

One of the highlights of the World Expo is the self-built pavilions from various countries, regions, and organizations, offering visitors a firsthand experience of diverse cultures from around the world and a glimpse into the future society. This diversity is what makes the World Expo so captivating. In this edition of the expo, 47 countries have decided to construct Class A (large and extra-large) self-built pavilions.

However, according to reports by Kyodo News, the Japan Association for the International Expositions set a deadline in mid-January for international exhibitors to complete construction and obtain proof of completion for the pavilions. As of the 4th of this month, only 8 countries, including Ireland, the Philippines, South Korea, Australia, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Malaysia, and Hungary, have received certification for their Class A pavilions. The possibility of some countries not completing construction before the opening is growing, causing deep concern among the organizers.

The report highlights that due to the complex designs of the pavilions and rising costs of raw materials, countries have faced hurdles in signing contracts with Japanese construction firms, leading to significant delays in project progress. Some countries have resorted to simpler pavilions constructed by the association or even announced their withdrawal from the World Expo.

In addition, the original deadline for setting up facilities and exhibits was expected to be today, the 13th of this month. After completing the setups, countries still need to obtain the necessary facility usage permits for welcoming visitors, yet as of now, no exhibiting party has completed this task. It is reported that if a large number of permit applications are submitted shortly before the opening, there may not be enough time for processing.

Currently, the organizers are urging countries to expedite their preparations. The Secretary-General of the World Expo Association, Hiroyuki Ishige, stated, “There is indeed a risk that some construction tasks may not be completed before the opening, but in order to ensure the successful completion of this World Expo, the organizers are willing to provide various forms of support.”