Kaneka Promotes Green Planet™ as Japan’s Cutting-Edge Technology at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai

TOKYO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Apr 11, 2025–

Kaneka Corporation (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Kazuhiko Fujii) (TOKYO:4118), will engage in various projects using KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet ™ (hereinafter, Green Planet) as a supporting and sponsoring company of the Japan Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai (hereinafter, the Japan Pavilion).

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The Japan Pavilion will express the concept of circulation based on the theme “Between Lives” in three areas: the Plant Area, Farm Area and Factory Area. In the “Farm Area”, vessels made of Green Planet using CO2 in cylinders as a raw material will be displayed(*1), and in the “Plant Area”, an image of the Green Planet-made vessels being biodegraded by microorganisms in an aquarium and returning to CO2 and water will be displayed.

In addition, Green Planet clear folders will be given as a gift(*2) at the Japan Pavilion. Green Planet is a recyclable material that can be produced from biomass materials and CO2, and is broken down by microorganisms living in a variety of environments, including soil and seawater, and returns to nature as CO2 and water. By obtaining materials that can contribute to solving the problem of environmental pollution caused by plastics, you will be helping to pass on the baton of recycling, which we will begin in Japan.

In addition, Green Planet will be introduced at the SDGs exhibition corner of the ORA Gaishoku Pavilion “UTAGE” run by the Osaka Restaurant Management Association (Location: Naniwa-ku, Osaka City, Representative: Kanji Nakai) from June 8 to June 21, as a material that contributes to the recycling of carbon and the problem of marine pollution caused by plastics.

Based on our mission of “KANEKA thinks ‘Wellness First’,” we provide value globally as a solution provider. By introducing Green Planet, Expo visitors can see and experience this material that is born from nature and returns to nature. We will contribute to the “Designing Future Society for Our Lives” initiative brought about by this resource recycling.

*1. We are cooperating as part of the theme “Development of Polymer Synthesis Technology by Microorganisms using CO2 as Direct Raw Materials” adopted by the “Green Innovation Fund Project” by NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization).
News Release March 22, 2022
“Development of Polymer Synthesis Technology by Microorganisms using CO2 as Direct Raw Material” selected as a NEDO Green Innovation Fund Project
https://www.kaneka.co.jp/en/topics/news/2023/ennr2303221.html
*2. Will be given to Japan Pavilion visitors at the “Farm Area” from April 13 to mid-June.

Japan Pavilion (from Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai official website) [Photo by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry]

Plant Area: Vessels made from Green Planet being biodegraded by microorganisms [Photo by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry]

Farm Area: Vessels made from Green Planet that use CO2 as a raw material [Photo by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry]

Green Planet clear folder will be given to 1200 visitors each day at the Japan Pavilion “Farm Area” from April 13 to mid-June. [Photo by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry]

LIBREVILLE, Gabon (AP) — Voters in the oil-rich Gabon headed to polling stations on Saturday in a presidential election that the country’s military rulers hoped would legitimize their grip on power.

It’s the first election since a 2023 military coup ended a political dynasty that lasted over 50 years. Analysts have predicted an overwhelming victory for the interim president who led the coup.

Some 920,000 voters, including over 28,000 overseas, are registered to participate across more than 3,000 polling stations. A third of the country’s 2.3 million people live in poverty despite its vast oil wealth.

The interim president, Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, 50, toppled President Ali Bongo Ondimba nearly two years ago. He hopes to consolidate his grip on power for a seven-year term in office.

Bongo was placed under house arrest after the coup but freed a week later due to health concerns. His wife and son were detained and charged with corruption and embezzlement of public funds. Bongo himself was not charged.

Following the coup, Oligui Nguema promised to “return power to civilians” through “credible elections”. He has touted himself as a leader who wants to unify the Gabonese and give them hope, running his presidential campaign under the slogan: “We Build Together.”

In January, the parliament adopted a new contentious electoral code allowing military personnel to run in elections.

The country’s new constitution, adopted in a referendum in November, has also set the presidential term at seven years, renewable once, instead of the unlimited fiver-year term. It also states family members can’t succeed a president and has abolished the position of prime minister.

A total of eight candidates are running for president. However, Oligui Nguema’s main challenger is Bongo’s former prime minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, who has promised to reorganize public finances, create jobs for young people and “end the umbilical cord” with former colonial ruler France.

In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Bilie-By-Nze said he didn’t expect the election to be fair or transparent. “Everything has been done to lock down the vote,” he said.

In a region where France is losing longstanding allies in many of its former colonies, Gabon stands out as one of only a few where that partnership has not been threatened. It still has more than 300 French troops present, one of only two African countries still hosting them.

Oligui Nguema has not signaled an end to the French military presence, but Bilie-By-Nze has said “no subject is off limits” in renegotiating the ties between the two countries.

Dozens of voters, from various age groups, lined up at ballot stations early Saturday in the capital city, Libreville, as voting progressed peacefully.

Jonas Obiang told the AP while waiting to cast his ballot in the working-class district of Damas that he would vote for Bilie-By-Nze because he viewed the 2023 coup as a continuation of the malpractice of the previous regime.

“General Oligui Nguema led the country with the same people who plundered the country, the former members of the Bongo regime. I will not vote for him,” he said.

His views were echoed by Antoine Nkili, a 27-year-old unemployed man with a Master’s degree in law.

“The choice is personal, but I’m telling you that for me, the military has failed,” Nkili said. “They promised to reform the institutions, but they haven’t. Instead, they’ve enriched themselves.”

But Jean Bie, 57, who works in the construction sector, said the military rule has benefited the population.

“In 19 months, General Oligui Nguéma has completed several projects expected of the former regime. I’m voting for him, hoping he’ll do more over the next seven years,” he said.

Voters queue to cast their votes for the presidential elections outside a polling station, in Liberville, Gabon, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Betines Makosso)

Voters queue to cast their votes for the presidential elections outside a polling station, in Liberville, Gabon, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Betines Makosso)

Voters queue to cast their votes for the presidential elections outside a polling station, in Liberville, Gabon, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Betines Makosso)

Voters display their voting cards outside a polling station during the presidential elections, in Liberville, Gabon, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Betines Makosso)

Voters queue to cast their votes for the presidential elections outside a polling station, in Liberville, Gabon, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Betines Makosso)

Ballots for presidential candidates are placed on a table inside a polling station, in Liberville, Gabon, Saturday, April 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Betines Makosso)

FILE – A woman votes in a referendum on whether to adopt a new constitution, in Libreville, Gabon, on Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Betines Makosso, File)