Latest news with #BlueImpulse
The Mainichi
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
News in Easy English: Blue Impulse team flies over Osaka Expo, pilot reaches childhood dream
OSAKA -- The Blue Impulse aerobatics team from Japan's Air Self-Defense Force flew over the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, on July 12 and 13. Their first show in April was canceled because of bad weather, so this was their new chance to perform. One pilot, Shoya Matsuura, 30, is from Suita in Osaka Prefecture. Suita is famous for the "Tower of the Sun," a big symbol from the 1970 Osaka Expo. When Matsuura was a child, he saw Blue Impulse fly and decided he wanted to be a pilot. After flying at the Expo, he said, "I've achieved a lifetime goal." The team took off from Kansai International Airport and flew over famous places like Tsutenkaku Tower, Osaka Castle, and the Tower of the Sun. Over the Expo site, they made white smoke shapes in the sky, like hearts and the number "8," and did special flying tricks for 15 minutes. After the flight, Matsuura said, "It was amazing." He was happy to see his hometown from the sky and wondered if his friends were watching. Before flying, the team checked the weather, the airport, and their flight plan. Matsuura smiled as he got ready to make the smoke shapes. After the two-day show, Matsuura said he hoped people enjoyed the flights, and that flying over the place where he grew up was unforgettable. (Japanese original by Tadakazu Nakamura, Izumisano Resident Bureau) Vocabulary aerobatics: special flying tricks done by airplanes pilot: a person who flies an airplane briefing: a meeting to talk about plans before doing something artificial island: an island made by people, not by nature unforgettable: something you will always remember achieve: to reach a goal or dream landmark: a famous place or building
Japan Forward
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Forward
Blue Impulse Delivers Spectacular Air Show at Osaka Expo
このページを 日本語 で読む On the afternoon of July 13, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's acrobatic flight team, Blue Impulse, performed an aerial demonstration over the Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai venue. Visitors applauded as six jets delivered a stunning air show in perfect formation. Blue Impulse flying over the Osaka Expo venue — July 13 afternoon, Konohana Ward, Osaka City. (©Sankei by Tomoichiro Takekawa) This was the second consecutive day the team performed. The six aircraft arrived over the venue at around 3:00 PM, roughly the same time as the day before, and spent about 15 minutes drawing dynamic patterns in the blue sky with smoke trails. Blue Impulse jets and Expo 2025's official mascot MYAKU-MYAKU in the foreground— July 13 afternoon, Konohana Ward, Osaka City. (©Sankei by Tomoichiro Takekawa) The demonstration was originally planned for the Expo's opening day on April 13, but had to be canceled due to bad weather. After growing public calls for a rescheduled flight, the show was held to celebrate the halfway point of the six-month-long Expo. Blue Impulse draws a large heart shape in the sky. (©Sankei by Koji Taito) With July 13 marking the event's midpoint, the performance on the 12th drew around 164,000 visitors. The two days of Blue Impulse added to the excitement and energy building around the Expo. Blue Impulse releases smoke before landing after completing a flight over the Expo venue. (©Sankei by Kotaro Hikono) Blue Impulse flies over Osaka Castle — July 13 afternoon, Chuo Ward, Osaka City. The defense ministry and the Japan Self-Defense Forces encouraged people to share the experience on social media using the hashtag #大阪の空を見上げよう (lit "look up at the skies of Osaka"). Images of the jets soaring not only above the Expo site but also across various parts of Osaka Prefecture were widely shared online. Author: The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
The Mainichi
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Osaka-native SDF pilot makes dream come true in Blue Impulse flights over Expo site
OSAKA -- The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF)'s Blue Impulse aerobatics team showcased its aerial performances above areas around the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, venue July 12 and 13 after the original flight schedule in April on the Expo's opening day was canceled due to bad weather. One pilot in particular had special feelings about flying the jet as a Blue Impulse member. ASDF pilot Shoya Matsuura, 30, is from Suita, Osaka Prefecture, home to the iconic "Tower of the Sun," the symbol of the 1970 Osaka Expo. He saw the Blue Impulse team's performance about 15 years ago and decided to become a pilot. Making his childhood dream come true, Matsuura commented, "I've achieved a lifetime goal." The team took the same flight route on both days, taking off from Kansai International Airport around 2:40 p.m., passing landmarks such as Tsutenkaku Tower in Osaka's Naniwa Ward and Osaka Castle in Chuo Ward, before flying over the Tower of the Sun. From around 3 p.m., a 15-minute aerial display took place over the artificial island of Yumeshima, the Expo site. The aircraft emitted white smoke, creating heart shapes and the number "8," and performed aerobatic flights, including ascending in a widening spiral. "It was amazing," Matsuura said after the flight on July 12. Reflecting on flying over Suita, he commented, "I was happy to have the rare opportunity to see my hometown from the sky. I wondered if my friends were watching." Before boarding the aircraft on the second day, the team held a briefing where pilots reviewed weather conditions, the runway at Kansai International Airport, flight altitude, scheduled performances at the Expo site and the flight route. Matsuura smiled while confirming the timing for the smoke release. After successfully completing the momentous two-day stunt, Matsuura stated, "I hope there was a moment that moved the hearts of those who watched the flights. Flying over the area near the Tower of the Sun where I grew up was an unforgettable sight." (Japanese original by Tadakazu Nakamura, Izumisano Resident Bureau)
Asahi Shimbun
14-07-2025
- Asahi Shimbun
Air show held to celebrate expo exceeding 10 million visitors
OSAKA—The Osaka-Kansai Expo has welcomed more than 10 million general visitors as of July 12, marking a major milestone just as the international event reaches its halfway point. According to the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, 164,000 general visitors attended the expo on July 12 alone, bringing the cumulative total to more than 10.08 million. The world's fair, which opened on April 13 with participation from 158 countries and regions, had already exceeded 10 million total visitors including staff and stakeholders by June 29. This was just ahead of the three-month mark on July 13 that places the event at its midpoint before it concludes on Oct. 13. To celebrate the occasion, the Air Self-Defense Force's renowned aerobatic team Blue Impulse returned to the skies over the venue for the second consecutive day. Spectators cheered as six jets painted graceful arcs of white smoke across the blue summer sky. Although the event has reached an attendance milestone, organizers are hoping for a further boost in visitors during the upcoming summer holiday season to achieve their goal of 28.2 million total attendees.
Yomiuri Shimbun
13-07-2025
- Yomiuri Shimbun
3 Months After Expo's Opening, Visitors Top 10 Mil.; 164,000 Visitors Attend on Saturday
OSAKA — A total of 10.08 million general visitors have attended the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo in the three months since its opening on April 13 through Saturday, according to the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition. Also, preliminary visitor numbers for Saturday totaled 164,000, marking the third highest daily figure, the association said Sunday, one day after an aerobatic demonstration by the Blue Impulse, a team of Air Self-Defense Force pilots. With three months having passed since the Expo kicked off, the six-month-long event reached its halfway point on Sunday. The association projects 28.2 million people will have visited the Expo by the time it ends. However, the current pace is slower than what has been projected. Nevertheless, the association expects the numbers to pick up during the summer vacation period and toward the end of the Expo. The association also plans to strengthen its efforts to attract visitors from outside the Kansai region.
