World Expo 2025 Opens in Japan Amid Turbulent Times

Sunday 13 April 2025 - 12:40

By: Zahouani Ilham

World Expo 2025 Opens in Japan Amid Turbulent Times

The World Expo 2025 officially opened in Osaka, Japan, offering a vibrant platform for 160 nations and regions to display their innovations in technology, cuisine, and culture. Amidst a backdrop of global conflict and economic uncertainty, Japan aims to inspire unity and hope through this grand international event.

Running through mid-October, the Expo showcases striking exhibits—from a Mars meteorite and an artificial beating heart developed from stem cells, to Hello Kitty sculptures made of algae. The pavilions are encircled by the world’s largest wooden architectural structure, the "Grand Ring," created by architect Sou Fujimoto, who sees the Expo as a rare occasion for diverse cultures to come together in harmony.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba echoed this sentiment, expressing hope that the event would foster global cohesion during a time of widespread division.

However, political tensions loom large. The Ukrainian pavilion bears a bold sign declaring "Not for sale" a message aligned with President Volodymyr Zelensky’s stance on resilience amid the ongoing war with Russia, whose absence at the Expo is notable. Ukraine’s Deputy Economy Minister, Tatiana Berezhna, emphasized the nation’s desire to showcase its strength and creativity.

Nearby, Israel’s pavilion, which stands alongside one from Palestine, delivers a message of peace, while the United States exhibit, themed "America the Beautiful," highlights landscapes, artificial intelligence, and space exploration—steering clear of controversial trade policies. China’s pavilion features green tech and lunar samples, paying tribute to its recent space missions.

Visitors can enjoy unique experiences like the world's longest sushi conveyor belt and the “skywalk” atop the Grand Ring. Unusual displays include a "human washing machine" reacting to users’ heart rates and 32 algae-themed Hello Kitty statues, reflecting the plant’s various applications.

Technological marvels also feature prominently—among them, flying drones and a pulsating artificial heart made from stem cells, displayed publicly for the first time by the Pasona Group.

Sustainability is a key theme across many exhibits, such as the eco-conscious Swiss pavilion. Yet concerns persist over the temporary nature of Expo sites—Japan plans to repurpose the Expo grounds into a casino resort, with only a fraction of the Grand Ring being reused.

Although rooted in the tradition of World’s Fairs that began in London in 1851, and which brought iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, this year’s Expo has struggled to gain traction. With only 8.7 million advance tickets sold—well below the 14 million target—organizers face lukewarm public interest, compounded by cost overruns.

Still, for many attendees, the Expo remains a beacon of inspiration. Local resident Emiko Sakamoto, who visited the 1970 Osaka Expo, expressed her intent to revisit the site repeatedly to experience the diversity on offer. “In these turbulent times,” she said, “the Expo encourages people to think about peace.”