Latest news with #forthe2025WorldExposition
6 days ago
- Entertainment
Osaka Expo Marks Highest Visitor Number on Sat.
News from Japan Jun 2, 2025 09:56 (JST) Osaka, June 2 (Jiji Press)--The ongoing World Exposition in the western Japan city of Osaka attracted 162,000 general visitors on Saturday, marking a new daily record, the organizer said on Sunday. The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition expects a total of 28.2 million people to visit the event, which is set to run until Oct. 13. To achieve the goal, the event needs to draw 150,000 visitors on average per day. Saturday's number exceeded the target for the first time. Visitor reservations grew on Saturday thanks to music and fireworks attractions, according to the association. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
The Mainichi
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Once received with mixed reactions, Osaka Expo's Myaku-Myaku mascot charms visitors
OSAKA -- The official mascot of the World Exposition underway in Osaka, which initially sparked mixed reactions, has now become one of the main attractions a month and a half after the event kicked off. Myaku-Myaku, described as "a mysterious creature born from the fusion of cells and water," is featured throughout the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai venue. Visitors crowd around the character's statue to take pictures with it, or line up to enter "Myaku-Myaku House," where a moving Myaku-Myaku welcomes its fans. At the Expo venue in Osaka's Konohana Ward, one can also find manhole covers in a Myaku-Myaku design as well as playground equipment and monuments in the beloved character's colors -- red and blue. According to the Expo's website, Myaku-Myaku's "true identity remains unknown" and it "appears to be transforming into various forms in search of who it wants to be, and its current form mimics humans." Perhaps its mysteriousness and shape-shifting nature is part of its charm. On the message board at Myaku-Myaku House was a comment that read, "I'm sorry I said you looked terrifying when I first saw you. I like you a lot now." A 25-year-old Osaka woman who took pictures with the mascot told the Mainichi Shimbun, "I initially thought, 'Why did this get picked?' but I've become a fan after seeing it move." A visitor, 55, from Kobe's Nagata Ward said, "I was initially a bit skeptical, but it turned out to be kind of adorable, though I can't explain how." It appears many of the visitors changed their opinion for the better about the mysterious mascot after actually seeing it. The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition expects 28.2 million visitors over the six-month duration of the event. That averages about 150,000 people per day -- undoubtedly not an easy target. The website says Myaku-Myaku's favorite thing to do is "interacting with all kinds of living beings and things." If Myaku-Myaku can meet many people and steadily gain more fans, that visitor number goal may not be so far out of reach. (Japanese original by Takehiko Onishi, Osaka Photo and Video Department)
Yomiuri Shimbun
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
2025 Expo Osaka: Yoshimura Asks Japan Expo Association to Consider Keeping Restaurants, Shops Open until Just before 10 P.M.
Yomiuri Shimbun file photo The 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo site in Konohana Ward, Osaka Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura has asked the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition to consider keeping restaurants and shops open until just before 10 p.m., the closing time of the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, he said at a press conference Wednesday. Currently, most restaurants and stores at the expo close around 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. On Saturday, Yoshimura met with Dimitri Kerkentzes, secretary general of the Bureau International des Expositions, who proposed extending the closing time of 10 p.m. by one hour so visitors could enjoy the expo at night. On the other hand, the Japan expo association pointed out it would be difficult to extend the closing time in terms of securing transportation for staff to go home. Yoshimura expressed understanding of the association's position, but noted, 'It is also true that many people want to enjoy the nightlife.'
Yomiuri Shimbun
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
1 Month after Expo's Opening: Good Start Should Translate to Successful Event
It is good news that the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo's ticket sales, which had been a point of concern, are progressing well. But there are still many issues needing to be addressed about the Expo's operation going forward. Efforts to enhance visitor satisfaction should continue to be made to ensure success is brought to the international event. The Expo on Tuesday marked one month since its opening. To date, 2.41 million people have visited the Expo, surpassing the 2005 Aichi Expo by 550,000 during the same period. Ticket sales surged following the opening. The sales so far total more than 13 million, including anticipated sales from package tours and other programs. If the current pace is maintained, it will be possible for ticket sales to reach the 18 million needed to realize a profit. Initially, details of exhibitions were not well publicized, and sales of advance tickets had been poor. However, since the opening, the appeal of the Expo, which allows visitors to experience diverse cultures, cutting-edge technologies and events all in one place, has gradually spread through word of mouth by visitors and other means, seemingly improving its reputation. According to visitor questionnaires, the symbolic Grand Ring has been well received, and overseas pavilions are also proving popular because visitors can experience 'virtual world tours.' However, many tickets remain unused, and daily visitor numbers are still only 60% of the target. There is a risk of overcrowding during the second half of the Expo, which includes the summer vacation period. One of the Expo's goals is to realize an 'expo where visitors do not have to line up,' and a reservation system was introduced for such things as admission. Despite this, long lines formed at the beginning of the expo. Although the situation has been alleviated by streamlining baggage inspections, the challenge now is how to prevent crowded situations when even more visitors come. The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, which is in charge of running the Expo, should come up with measures such as offering discounts on admission fees for visitors during the first half of the Expo and on weekdays. Shortening waiting times will certainly help prevent heatstroke in the summer. Shortly after the opening, a subway train providing transport to the Expo venue broke down, stranding about 4,000 people, including those visiting the Expo. Operations of the 'flying car,' one of the highlights of the Expo, remains suspended after part of the body of one of the aircraft was damaged during a demonstration flight. Unexpected situations can occur at any time and at any place. The Expo association must work closely with related organizations and exhibitors to ensure thorough crisis management. Tottori Prefecture, which is participating in the Kansai Pavilion, has signed cooperation agreements with the Jordan Pavilion and the Saudi Arabia Pavilion due to their sand dune and desert connection. The central government is also making every effort to engage in 'expo diplomacy' with dignitaries from around the world visiting the event. Within and around the venue, where 158 countries and regions are gathering, various connections are forming. By ensuring safe and secure operations and fulfilling the expectations of visitors, it is hoped the Expo will be successful. (From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 13, 2025)
The Mainichi
29-04-2025
- Business
- The Mainichi
Ticket sales for Osaka expo top 10 mil., most sold in advance
OSAKA (Kyodo) -- Admission ticket sales for the World Exposition in Osaka topped 10 million in about two weeks after its opening on April 13, organizers said Monday, with most of them sold in advance. The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition is aiming to sell 23 million tickets for the six-month expo, hoping to use the admissions to cover the event's running costs. A total of about 10.41 million tickets were sold as of Friday, of which 9.69 million were advance-sale and 717,000 were sold after the opening, according to the association. Sales of advance tickets have fallen short of the 14 million target. Jun Takashina, a deputy secretary general at the association, said sales of season passes, which allow attendees to visit multiple times, are increasing thanks to positive word-of-mouth from visitors.
