Expo Healthcare Pavilion displays iPS tech and 'human washing machine'
A preview ceremony was held Sunday for the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion to be run by the prefecture and city of Osaka at the 2025 World Exposition, which begins next month in the city.
Inside the pavilion, a myocardial cell sheet using induced pluripotent stem, or iPS, cell technology and an experience-based area where avatars are generated based on visitors' health data were shown to the press.
An evolved version of the "human washing machine," which attracted attention at the Osaka Expo 55 years ago, was also unveiled, with Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura trying it out for himself.
The theme of the pavilion is "REBORN," meaning the reincarnation of people. The exterior of the pavilion is characterized by the image of a bird's nest, and there are three pillars that imitate the structure of DNA inside the building. Technologies related to life and health will be on display, allowing visitors to experience the future.
The human washing machine 55 years ago made headlines for automatically washing and drying users' bodies inside a capsule. The evolved version unveiled Sunday is designed to wash not only the body but also the mind by playing videos and music according to the user's mental and physical condition based on a heart rate sensor. Yoshimura said with a smile "It felt good and I was able to relax."
After the preview event, an opening ceremony for the pavilion was held at the venue, attended by about 400 people, including company officials. Yoshimura told reporters after the ceremony: "I hope it will be a pavilion where visitors can travel in the future. I want the world to know that 'Osaka's technology is here.'"
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Asahi Shimbun
a day ago
- Asahi Shimbun
Osaka Expo temporarily suspends water shows after high levels of bacteria detected
Expo visitors watch the sunset from the Grand Ring in Osaka's Konohana Ward on April 24. (Asahi Shimbun file photo) Popular daily fountain shows and a shallow pool area at Expo 2025 in Osaka have been temporarily suspended due to bacterial contamination that required cleaning and safety checks, the event organizers said on Monday. The aquatic show at the Water Plaza has been suspended since June 4 when legionella bacteria of up to 20 times the legal limit was detected in the water, a week after lower levels of contamination had been found. Another water area, called the Forest of Tranquility — a shallow reservoir over 2.3 hectares (5.7 acres) where visitors can soak their feet and relax — has also been closed for cleaning due to the legionella contamination, which can cause pneumonia. The bacteria contamination is the latest problem hitting the Expo site, where swarms of midges have been bothering visitors for weeks. The venue, built on a former industrial waste burial site in the Osaka Bay in western Japan, where methane gas was detected days before the opening in April. The use of insecticides has so far not effectively blocked the midges. Organizers say they now believe the source of the midges is the Water Plaza and that additional measures are under way, such as installing an insect screen. Organizers have also taken anti-bacterial measures at the water areas, including increased sanitation, cleaning drainage pipes and increasing water circulation, to improve water quality at the reservoir and get approval for a reopening from the health authorities. Hiroyuki Ishige, secretary general of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, said the organizers should have acted more quickly to close down the water area after detecting increased levels of contamination. 'We deeply apologize over the inconveniences we have caused to the visitors who were looking forward to the (water) shows,' Ishige told a media briefing on Monday. Organizers says there has been no reported health issues. The Osaka Expo involves participants from more than 160 countries, regions and organizations who are showcasing their futuristic exhibits. Organizers had expected 28 million visitors through mid-October.
Japan Times
5 days ago
- Japan Times
Swarms of midges plague Osaka Expo site
Midges have crashed the party at the 2025 Osaka Expo. Chironomid midges, which closely resemble mosquitoes, have been found swarming in huge numbers across the site. While they are not directly harmful to humans, they are annoying visitors. The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition has almost identified where the insects are coming from, but the reason for their explosive increase remains unknown. The Osaka Expo organizer has sought the help of an insecticide manufacturer and others to find a quick solution. According to the association, the midges tend to be active in the evening and later at the venue, often appearing on the roof of the event's iconic Grand Ring, and in and around waterside areas. Since midge outbreaks tend to occur in brackish waters, the organizer believes that the midges are emerging in the venue's Water Plaza and the Sea of Connections areas. The organizer plans to set up a committee including experts to draw up an insect control plan. Although chironomid midges do not suck blood, they may cause allergies in humans who inhale their remains, according to the organizer. On Wednesday, visitors were seen swatting away the pesky insects while strolling around the venue on Yumeshima, an artificial island. In hopes of eradicating the midges, Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura has asked major Japanese insecticide maker Earth for help. The company has provided the venue with related products, including the Mushi Konai Earth insect repellent. It and the organizer have also conducted a field survey on the midge outbreak. As the number of visitors is expected to increase toward the end of the event in October, keeping the midge infestation at bay is a pressing issue. In a statement released this week, the association said it will "take immediate measures against the chironomid midges to ensure that visitors can enjoy a pleasant day at the Expo site."
5 days ago
Swarms of Pesky Midges Plague Osaka Expo Site
News from Japan Society Jun 6, 2025 08:30 (JST) Osaka, June 6 (Jiji Press)--Midges have crashed the party at the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka, western Japan. Chironomid midges, which closely resemble mosquitoes, have been found swarming in huge numbers across the site. While they are not directly harmful to humans, they are annoying visitors. The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition has almost identified where the insects are coming from, but the reason for their explosive increase remains unknown. The Osaka Expo organizer has sought the help of an insecticide manufacturer and others to find a quick solution. According to the association, the midges tend to be active in the evening and later at the venue, often appearing on the roof of the event's iconic Grand Ring and in and around waterside areas. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
