On October 11, 2025, the “Inochi Declaration Festival,” an event themed around the “Inochi Declaration”—a key intangible legacy project for the Osaka-Kansai Expo spearheaded by the University of Osaka and others—was held at the Festival Station on the Expo site. The event drew a full house of 370 visitors, where they shared diverse thoughts and opinions on “life.”
The University of Osaka and three Kansai economic organizations in the Kansai region (Kansai Economic Federation, the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Kansai Association of Corporate Executives) established the “Inochi Forum” in March 2023. Through subsequent action panels and other activities, the “Inochi Declaration” was crafted with the help of 135 contributing authors.
The “Inochi Declaration Festival” kicked off at noon, livening up the venue with a grand chorus by the Tokyo Children’s Ensemble as well as presentations by elementary, junior high, high school, and university students.
During the announcement of the “Inochi Declaration,” President Atsushi Kumanogoh (Vice Chair of the “Inochi Forum” Project Promotion Council) stated in his opening remarks, “The Declaration aims not only for scientific and technological progress, but also for a society of mutual support centered on compassion for others, human dignity, and empathy for all lives on Earth.”
President Kumanogoh giving a speech on the “Inochi Declaration”
Following this, Takuo Dome (Executive Assistant to the President of the University of Osaka/Vice Chairman, Inochi Forum Project Executive Committee) reported on their activities. Then, Shojiro Nishio (Chairman, Inochi Forum Project Promotion Council) read aloud the “Inochi Declaration.”
This precious Inochi, an irreplaceable gift to us
Fragile, delicate, changing with time
Every Inochi conceals a radiant light,
All are deeply intertwined.
Let us protect, nurture,
And bond with every precious Inochi,
Unleashing its hidden light.
Discovering what it means to be alive,
And returning to Inochi’s true origin.
Former UOsaka President Shojiro Nishio’s speech
After video messages from overseas university presidents and introductions to international activities, a special talk on the “Inochi Declaration” took place. Speakers listed below took the stage to exchange views on topics such as “How to reduce existing disparities,” “All life possesses diverse creativity,” and “Aspiration to model the Gross National Happiness index of the Kingdom of Bhutan.”
IKEGAMI Kiyoko (Chair of the Board, Plan International Japan)IWAI Mutsuo (Vice President of the Aspen Institute Japan)SAKUMA Hiroshi (Director of the Osaka Pavilion Promotion Committee) NAKAJIMA Sachiko (Thematic Project Producer of 2025 Expo Osaka Kansai)ZWITTER Andrej (Professor of the University of Groningen)
Furthermore, Hashimoto Masahiko, who composed the theme song “Inochi,” which includes the prologue of the Inochi Declaration as its lyrics, gave a passionate singing performance, along with the performance by the UOsaka Student Expo Committee “a-tune” in collaboration with countries worldwide. The finale, “Inochi BonBon (Life Bon Odori),” drew not only the audience on stage but also the entire venue, joining in to enjoy a unique Bon Odori dance experience.
https://inochi-forum.org/ (link in Japanese)
Performance by a-tune
Additionally, on October 13, the closing day of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, the Expo Association held a forum to compile the “Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Declaration,” where former UOsaka President Nishio took the stage as a panelist. He spoke about how the University of Osaka has placed ‘life’ at the core of its activities and how the “Inochi Declaration” issued on October 11 serves as a new starting point for further expansion into a global network.
Former UOsaka President Nishio speaking as a panelist at the forum compiling the “Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Declaration” on the closing day of the Osaka-Kansai Expo
Related Links:
*Full text of the “Inochi Declaration”
https://inochi-forum.org/en/declaration-page/
AloJapan.com