The World Expo is underway in Kansai City, Japan. Papua New Guinea is one of the 158 countries participating. The National’s Business reporter NATHAN WOTI spoke with the 2025 World Exposition Global Communication, Public Relations, and Promotion Bureau (Japan Association) director-general extraordinaire SACHIKO YOSHIMURA for an update on the expo.
Q:How many countries are participating in this year’s world expo?
YOSHIMURA: Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan welcomed 158 countries and regions, plus seven international organisations. This is the largest number of participants in Japan’s World Expo’s history, reflecting a strong global commitment to collaboration and innovation. In a time of global uncertainty, the Expo stands as a symbol of unity, resilience, and shared purpose.
Papua New Guinea is a special friend and it was good to see Prime Minister James Marape attending the expo and giving the keynote address at the PNG National Day celebration on July 21.
Q:What is the total cost of hosting the event?
YOSHIMURA: The total cost of the construction fee is about Y235 billion (around K6.7 billion), covering infrastructure, pavilion construction and employee operations. While substantial, the investment is seen as a catalyst for economic revitalisation, international cooperation, and technological advancement. The expo is a public-private partnership, with contributions from the Japanese government, corporate sponsors, and international participants.
Q:Why is this world expo important?
YOSHIMURA: Expo 2025 serves as a global platform for co-creation, addressing pressing challenges such as health, sustainability, and inclusive growth. Its theme, “Designing future society for our lives”, resonates deeply in a world navigating post-pandemic recovery and geopolitical shifts.
Over 184 days, tens of millions of visitors are expected to gather in Osaka, engaging in meaningful dialogue and exploring solutions for a better future.
Japan will showcase its responses to advanced societal issues while learning from global perspectives.
The Expo is also a testing ground for future society, under the concept of “People’s Living Lab”, where cutting-edge technologies are implemented and demonstrated.
For example, visitors can witness innovations such as perovskite solar cells, which represent a new frontier in renewable energy, the Carbon Recycling Factory, which showcases Japan’s commitment to the circular economy and de-carbonisation and iPS cell-based beating heart, a living heart created from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS), is on display and beating in real time.
These real-world experiments leads to fasten implementing the new technologies to our daily life and offering tangible insights into how technology can support more sustainable and life-enhancing ways of living. Ultimately, Expo 2025 aims to inspire visitors to “see, learn, discover, and co-create” a future society that serves all lives.
We also have learnt that though the Expo, PNG was able to engage in meaningful meetings in Osaka and Tokyo during the week. We hope that those meetings turn into purposeful investments that can benefit both nation.
Q:What is the expectation or objective of this world expo?
YOSHIMURA: Expo 2025 aspires to be more than a global event. It is a starting point for deep reflection on the theme of “designing future society for our lives.”
We hope it will inspire each visitor to reflect on the value, diversity, and interconnectedness of life. Through innovation, dialogue, and collaboration, it seeks to spark creativity, foster new partnerships, and leave a lasting legacy of hope and collective action toward a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Q:How many total people have visited the Osaka World Expo?
YOSHIMURA: As of July 19, Expo 2025 has welcomed over 12,662,685 visitors. A total of 16,453,322 admission tickets had been sold as of Friday, July 18. With just over 11 weeks remaining, momentum remains strong, with visitors from around the world continuing to arrive.
Q:How has this expo benefited Japan?
YOSHIMURA: Expo 2025 has delivered wide-ranging benefits to Japan – economically, diplomatically, and culturally. It is both a celebration of innovation and a strategic platform for long-term impact.
Economic growth and revitalisation: It has significantly boosted tourism, infrastructure development, and job creation, particularly in the Kansai region.
Local businesses and start-ups are gaining visibility through exhibitions, service opportunities, and international partnerships. Cultural exchange and global visibility – Japan’s core values of harmony, resilience, and creativity are being shared with the world through immersive pavilions, performances, and hospitality.
The Expo has become a vibrant stage for cultural diplomacy, where tradition meets technology and storytelling bridges generations.
Expo diplomacy and international engagement: With 165 official participants, Expo 2025 has become a hub for bilateral and multilateral dialogue. National and Special Days and Thematic Weeks have welcomed heads of state, ministers, and ambassadors, strengthening diplomatic ties.
Papua New Guinea’s National Day on July 21 featured a flag-raising ceremony, cultural performances, and a dinner reception hosted by Prime Minister James Marape – deepening ties between PNG and Japan.
Business networking and innovation exchange: The Expo has facilitated cross-border collaboration in sectors such as energy, digital technology, and sustainable development.
Visionary Exchange: This high-level networking initiative has convened nearly 250 leaders from government, business, and civil society across multiple nations. It has facilitated cross-sector dialogue on innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth, positioning Japan as a convener of global thought leadership.
Business and trade missions: In parallel with pavilion activities, many countries have organized trade missions and investment forums.
These include bilateral meetings focused on energy, digital transformation, and climate resilience.
Japan has hosted over 50 business events across Tokyo, Kansai, and Osaka, enabling matchmaking and partnership development in sectors such as clean tech, healthcare, and smart infrastructure.
PNG has actively participated in business matchmaking and investment promotion, highlighting opportunities in LNG supply, agribusiness, fisheries, mining, and tourism.
A legacy of collaboration: Expo 2025 is laying the foundation for future cooperation in areas such as climate action, inclusive design, and digital transformation.
It is helping Japan position itself as a global convener of ideas and action – committed to shaping a future society that is inclusive, sustainable, and resilient.
Q:What is your message to the world who have come to Japan for the Osaka Expo?
YOSHIMURA: We deeply appreciate that 167 international participants have joined us to contribute to the success of the Expo 2025.
The largest number of countries participating in the history of the World Expo that was held in Japan.
We are happy to welcome many visitors from not only Japan but also from around the world.
The participation of international visitors brings a profound meaning to this global gathering.
We sincerely hope that through the experience at the expo, everyone had the opportunity to see, learn, and connect, while reflecting on the preciousness and future of our lives.
May this encounter serve as a catalyst for new understanding, inspiration and dialogue.
Sachiko Yoshimura
AloJapan.com