Headquarters for the World Expo
January 28, 2025
[Provisional translation]
On January 28, 2025, Prime Minister Ishiba held the ninth meeting of the Headquarters for the World Expo at the Prime Minister’s Office.
At the meeting, the participants engaged in discussions on the preparation status for EXPO 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
Based on today’s discussion, Prime Minister Ishiba stated:
“As was mentioned by relevant ministers, we are 75 days away from the opening of the Expo. It is no exaggeration to say that we have little time left. In order to welcome visitors to the Osaka Kansai Expo with all preparations in place to offer a chance to the world to discover a new Japan, the Government is committed to its success by making every effort together with Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, the business community and the Expo Association. This is particularly true as we are the ‘inviting government’ under the Convention Relating to International Exhibitions and we can roughly say that we are the host country. What I mean is that the Expo is not just about an event for Osaka Prefecture or Osaka City.
To this end, it is important for the entire Cabinet to build momentum for the Expo, and I request that all Ministers, on various occasions, communicate the efforts their respective ministries and agencies will make during the event, including through the media and social media, while also raising awareness of the Expo’s significance and appeal.
This is a great opportunity for visitors from around the world to discover Japan’s charm, and I, myself, have been directly urging the leaders of various countries I have met to visit the Expo. I always attend banquets and other events with this (the Osaka Kansai Expo mascot, Myaku-Myaku) by my side, and surprisingly, no one has ever asked what it is. In fact, it’s quite popular overseas. This is how I encourage people to attend. When you enter the Prime Minister’s Office, you will find a giant Myaku-Myaku there, which I believe will eventually start to speak – and that’s true. I hope everyone will continue to strengthen their efforts to promote this event. Once the Expo opens, I hope that Minister for Foreign Affairs Iwaya and others will make the most of it as a key diplomatic opportunity.
As I believe the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism also mentioned, it is crucial not only to focus on the Osaka-Kansai region as the venue of the Expo, but also on how to attract visitors to other regions and transform this into a driver for regional revitalization. It is important for people in regional areas to view the Expo as their own opportunity and to build momentum so that visitors to the Expo become interested in their regions. I would like to request Minister Ito, who is in charge of the Expo, to further strengthen support for regional initiatives to promote the event. Additionally, I ask the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to make even greater efforts to attract Expo visitors to regional areas.
I would like to request that Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Muto work with the Expo Association to create an environment that allows tickets to be easily purchased. Additionally, I ask for efforts to build momentum by cooperating with relevant industries to display posters and signage at transportation facilities and retail stores, among other things.
I understand that busy schedules may prevent some Ministers from returning to their local constituencies on weekends. However, whether it be in Miyazaki, Miyakonojo or anywhere else, if they could see firsthand whether tickets can actually be easily purchased at local convenience stores, they might notice an elderly person saying, ‘I’d like to buy a ticket for the Expo,’ and being advised to use the touch panel, only to wonder, ‘What is that?’ without being able to buy one. We have requested that stores and similar locations put up posters to promote ticket purchases, but I wonder what the actual status is. We have no choice but to rely on their cooperation on a request basis.
As Ministers Nakatani and Iwaya, as well as myself, belong to the same generation, we share the memory of the excitement from the 1970 Expo. We all sang and danced to the theme song ‘Hello from the countries of the world.’ Those who don’t know it must be from a much younger generation. The Expo is a kind of festival, and I truly hope to transform it into a driver for regional revitalization as well. As the host country, we are committed to making it a success, and I ask for the support of the ministers and encourage them to come up with a variety of ideas for what could be done within their ministries and agencies.
Initially expected to attract 30 million visitors, the 1970 Expo ended up being visited by as many as 60 million. It was remarkable. I waited in line for three hours just to see the Moon rock. After looking at it for a minute, I realized it was just an ordinary stone. This time around, however, we will be displaying a Mars rock at the Japan Pavilion. It’s not a rock we actually collected from Mars, but it is believed to have fallen to Earth from Mars, with some saying it’s possible to confirm it came from Mars. I have heard someone who examined the stone concluded that there is water on Mars. So, the Mars rock will be displayed at the Japan Pavilion.
I should probably end my lengthy talk now. When I visited the Expo as a second-year junior high school student, an electronics company exhibited a ‘human washing machine.’ I was convinced it would surely become a trend, but it didn’t quite catch on. However, many of the things displayed back then are now in common use. Looking back, I now realize how progress happens over time. To ensure the success of this Expo, I sincerely ask for the support and wisdom of the ministers. That’s all from me.”