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Japan Times
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
Virtual access brings Osaka Expo to broader audience
While the ongoing World Exposition in Osaka frequently draws more than 100,000 visitors a day, interest is also growing in services that allow people to enjoy the event remotely, whether through virtual spaces or online tours. By offering remote access to the atmosphere of the venue and exhibits from participating countries, the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition hopes to boost in-person attendance and bridge the "experience gap" for those who wish to visit but are unable to make the trip to the site, located on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay. One such initiative is the Virtual Expo, a free app developed with cooperation from NTT. Accessible via smartphone or computer, the app lets users navigate a digital version of the expo site by controlling avatars. In the virtual space, around 160 buildings have been faithfully recreated, on the basis of actual architectural data. The digital pavilions feature content provided by participating countries and companies. The platform also offers access to real-world events from the expo, including live streams of National Day celebrations, when countries highlight their cultures. These broadcasts have been particularly well received by users. "We hope this will be used by people who can't visit (the expo venue) due to distance," a representative of the association said, noting that interest tends to be lower in regions farther from the Kansai region. The official expressed hope that "learning more (about the event) could serve as a catalyst for actual visits." Residents at a nursing care facility in Osaka Prefecture participate in a virtual tour of the Osaka Expo presented by student volunteers. | Jiji The Virtual Expo has also been used in experience sessions at nursing care facilities. At one such session held in late May at a facility in Osaka Prefecture, student volunteers projected the virtual venue onto a screen, allowing residents to explore the pavilions of countries they were interested in visiting. "It's difficult for me to go there in person, but it (the virtual experience) was fun," said an 84-year-old female resident with a smile. The virtual experience also revived memories of the 1970 Osaka Expo for many residents, who fondly recalled scenes such as large crowds and long lines. One said, "There were so many people," while another added, "We were always waiting in lines." The session was part of the "Let's Expo" initiative, which focuses on making the expo more accessible for individuals with disabilities and the elderly, promoting a vision of an event that everyone can enjoy. Organizers plan to hold at least 200 similar sessions across Japan during the expo period, which runs until mid-October. Some companies are also working to create opportunities for children to experience the expo. Major staffing company Pasona Group, for example, is offering online tours that connect children with the pavilion the company operates at the physical venue. The initiative is part of Pasona Group's social contribution efforts, aimed at children who may be unable to visit the expo in person due to reasons such as hospitalization, distance or financial constraints. The May tour brought together 29 organizations from across the nation, including child welfare facilities and after-school day service providers. Company officials said many participating children expressed a strong desire to visit the expo in person. Some were especially inspired by the "iPS Heart," a highlight of the event created from induced pluripotent stem cells. One child declared, "When I get healthy, I'll definitely go to the expo," according to the officials. Pasona Group also plans to offer online tours in August and September. A company official emphasized the importance of the initiative, saying, "We hope to help close the experience gap and spark children's curiosity and interest."
The Mainichi
6 days ago
- Business
- The Mainichi
Nepal to open final pavilion at Osaka expo on Saturday after delay
OSAKA (Kyodo) -- Nepal will open its pavilion at the World Exposition in Osaka on Saturday, becoming the last participant to do so more than three months after the event began, a source familiar with the matter said Friday. The pavilion will be the last to open among the 158 participating countries and regions. Construction of the self-built Type A pavilion had been suspended due to delays by the Nepalese side in paying its Japanese builder, with work resuming on June 16. Organizers gave the green light on Friday for the pavilion to open to visitors, according to the source. The selection process for builders of the overseas pavilions, particularly those categorized as Type A constructions, proved difficult due to their complicated design and lack of coordination by the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition. Delays in preparation were noted even before the exhibition began, while unpaid construction fees to subcontractors were an issue for several other pavilions as well. Angola's pavilion, whose operation had been suspended since the day after the expo kicked off on April 13, was reopened on June 26.
Japan Today
6 days ago
- Business
- Japan Today
Nepal to finally open pavilion at Osaka expo
Nepal will open its pavilion at the World Exposition in Osaka on Saturday, becoming the last participant to do so more than three months after the event began, a source familiar with the matter said Friday. The pavilion will be the last to open among the 158 participating countries and regions. Construction of the self-built Type A pavilion had been suspended due to delays by the Nepalese side in paying its Japanese builder, with work resuming on June 16. Organizers gave the green light on Friday for the pavilion to open to visitors, according to the source. The selection process for builders of the overseas pavilions, particularly those categorized as Type A constructions, proved difficult due to their complicated design and lack of coordination by the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition. Delays in preparation were noted even before the exhibition began, while unpaid construction fees to subcontractors were an issue for several other pavilions as well. Angola's pavilion, whose operation had been suspended since the day after the expo kicked off on April 13, was reopened on June 26. © KYODO
Kyodo News
6 days ago
- Business
- Kyodo News
Nepal to open final pavilion at Osaka expo on Saturday after delay
OSAKA - Nepal will open its pavilion at the World Exposition in Osaka on Saturday, becoming the last participant to do so more than three months after the event began, a source familiar with the matter said Friday. The pavilion will be the last to open among the 158 participating countries and regions. Construction of the self-built Type A pavilion had been suspended due to delays by the Nepalese side in paying its Japanese builder, with work resuming on June 16. Organizers gave the green light on Friday for the pavilion to open to visitors, according to the source. The selection process for builders of the overseas pavilions, particularly those categorized as Type A constructions, proved difficult due to their complicated design and lack of coordination by the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition. Delays in preparation were noted even before the exhibition began, while unpaid construction fees to subcontractors were an issue for several other pavilions as well. Angola's pavilion, whose operation had been suspended since the day after the expo kicked off on April 13, was reopened on June 26.
Japan Forward
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Forward
Is MYAKU-MYAKU the Unsung Hero of Expo 2025?
An event at Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, has become so popular it seems to rival the main pavilions. One example took place on July 11, in front of the "Shining Hat" hall. This is the same stage used for the opening ceremony. Ding-ding! A bell rang out from a shop near the hall, signaling prize winners. An eight-year-old girl from Osaka Prefecture emerged, hugging a plush toy of MYAKU-MYAKU, the Expo's official mascot. "I want to sleep with it in bed," she said. "At first, I thought, 'What on earth is this?' But it even has eyes on its bottom, and now I think it's cute." The MYAKU-MYAKU plush lottery guarantees a win. For ¥2,200 JPY (about $165 USD), participants can win one of three sizes: 80 cm (1st prize), 46 cm (2nd prize), or 23 cm (3rd prize). Lines often stretch to more than two hours. Although MYAKU-MYAKU is now loved by fans, its odd design drew heavy criticism early on. Some called it "gross" and off-putting. A representative from the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition admitted, "Honestly, we didn't expect it to become this popular. It's not only building excitement for the Expo. It's also helping support it financially." Lines of people waiting to enter the merchandise store at the Expo venue — June, Konohana Ward, Osaka City. The Expo's total operating budget is ¥116 billion (about $780). Of that, ¥96.9 billion, or around 84%, is expected to come from ticket sales. An additional ¥11 billion, or roughly 9.5%, is projected from sales of merchandise, food, and drinks. To break even, 18.4 million tickets need to be sold. This figure is based on the current weekday adult ticket price of ¥6,000 ($40). As of July 4, ticket sales had reached about 15.54 million. A senior official said, "We'll definitely surpass the break-even point. The real question now is how far beyond it we can go." Still, the ultimate goal is to sell 23 million tickets. Many visitors are using unlimited-entry season passes. Discounted summer passes are now available during the school holidays. Whether overall revenue will meet the full profit target remains uncertain. With ticket revenue still in question, hopes are high for merchandise sales. Official MYAKU-MYAKU goods are produced by licensed companies. Around 7,000 items are available, including popular staples like keychains and sweets. Due to limited supply and strong demand, some items are being resold at steep prices on online auction sites. Manufacturers pay an 8 to 10% royalty fee to the Association. Part of that goes to Expo intellectual property management bodies. The rest helps cover operational costs. While the Association hasn't shared exact sales figures, insiders describe the numbers as "very strong." On July 11, the Association announced an expansion of the MYAKU-MYAKU plush lottery. This signaled just how important merchandise sales have become to the Expo's financial success. About 100 km from the Expo site, at the ferry terminal in Tokushima Port, a few tourists were seen holding tickets labeled "Invitation to Tokushima Prefecture." These tickets are handed out to visitors at the Tokushima zone of the Expo. They offer one-way travel to Tokushima for a flat ¥500 (about $3). The goal is to encourage Expo attendees to explore the prefecture. As of June 1, about 25,000 tickets had been distributed. However, only 926 had been used. The Tokushima Expo Promotion Office allocated ¥25 million ($170,000) to support the program, expecting around 7,500 users. With usage currently at just 10%, the office is "hoping for a summer boost.' The Asia Pacific Institute of Research (APIR) estimates the economic impact could reach ¥3.4 trillion (about $20 billion) if the so-called "Extended Expo" effect takes hold. This refers to visitors going beyond the main venue to explore universities, research centers, and local tourist spots. But the impact outside Osaka remains unclear. Expo 2025 aims to attract 28.2 million visitors over its duration. That requires a daily average of more than 150,000. According to APIR's Chief Economist Yoshihisa Inada, only four days have surpassed that number since the Expo opened. In fact, attendance declined in late June. "Achieving the expected economic effect hinges on hitting the attendance targets," Inada said. "There are only three months left. To make this Expo a success, we need more compelling content that encourages repeat visits." Despite slower-than-expected growth in attendance, long lines still form at the East Gate, which connects directly to a subway station. Popular pavilions remain fully booked. However, visitors have voiced complaints about the heat and crowding. To increase revenue, improving visitor satisfaction is key. Yet problems like swarms of midges and the detection of Legionella bacteria near water areas have exposed the Association's slow response. Responding to complaints that "there's nothing to do at night," the Association extended restaurant and shop hours until 9:45 PM starting in July. But to firmly secure profitability, it will need to continue introducing measures that enhance the visitor experience. ( Read the article in Japanese . ) Author: Kohei Inoue, The Sankei Shimbun
