The World Expo in Osaka has opened in western Japan, with diverse exhibits highlighting the plight of war-torn Ukraine as well as the future of mobility.
Ukraine’s deputy minister of economy Tetyana Berezhna and other government officials attended the opening of their country’s pavilion on Sunday.
Berezhna said at the ceremony that her country’s message is short but very clear. She said she wants visitors to know about the values and thinking that Ukraine treasures.
The pavilion’s theme is “Not for Sale,” indicating that the values of human dignity, democracy and freedom of expression cannot be bought or sold.
Eighteen items, including a child’s toy and a headlamp, are on display. Each item has a barcode that can be scanned to watch related videos, such as the story of a soldier who lost a leg in Russia’s military invasion. Other topics include blood donation and doctors helping injured people.
A high school student from Sakai City in Osaka Prefecture said he was impressed by the people working behind the scenes to support Ukraine in wartime. He added that he wants the world to become a place where people can live normal lives.
Some countries have had to postpone opening their pavilions until construction work is finished.
Mobility technology of the future
Around the Expo venue, self-driving electric buses offer visitors a first-hand experience of state-of-the-art mobility technology.
Some EV buses are equipped with sensors and cameras at the front and rear to enable autonomous operation.
The buses can detect the distance to nearby vehicles and pedestrians. They were seen safely navigating curves and stopping at traffic signals.
Higashiura Takeshi of Osaka Metro, which operates the buses, said he thinks autonomous driving technology can help solve driver shortages as Japan’s population ages and declines.
Higashiura said he hopes people will see how the technology can fit into everyday life, and that this will become a first step toward its broader use in society.
Expo visitors can also experience other futuristic modes of transport. These include a hydrogen fuel-cell boat powered by electricity generated from hydrogen and oxygen, as well as flying car demonstrations.
AloJapan.com