One year on, the spirit of Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai is celebrated
The Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, is on an official visit to Japan this week to mark one year since Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai closed and to observe first-hand how its legacy is being carried forward.
Over 184 days, from 13 April to 13 October 2025, Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai welcomed more than 29 million visitors and brought together 165 countries, regions and international organisations around the theme "Designing Future Society for Our Lives".
Today, exactly one year after the Expo closed its gates, the Expo 2025 Futures summit was held in Osaka to build on the opportunities the Expo created. The ceremony brought together representatives of national and local authorities, Organisers, former participants and partners to celebrate the Expo’s achievements and to reaffirm their shared commitment to carrying its legacy forward.
Following opening remarks by Masakazu Tokura, Chairman of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, the Secretary General of the BIE addressed the ceremony alongside representatives of the Government of Japan, the Governor of Osaka Prefecture, Hirofumi Yoshimura, and the Chairman of the Kansai Economic Federation, Masayoshi Matsumoto.
In his address, the Secretary General highlighted the lasting impact of Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai indicating: “The Expo’s legacy is a virtuous cycle, in which initiatives become long-term projects, and connections become lasting partnerships. Through Expo 2025 Futures, through business ties and through the friendships forged in Osaka, co-creation has emerged stronger than ever.”
The ceremony also looked ahead to the next Expos. Masato Kawamura, Secretary General of the Japan Association for the International Horticultural Expo 2027 Yokohama, joined by the Expo’s official mascot Tunku Tunku, presented the latest news on preparations. Among several features of the Expo that carry the spirit of Expo 2025, he introduced the Kajima Tree, which incorporates timber from Expo 2025’s Grand Ring. Representatives of Specialised Expo 2027 Belgrade also gave updates on their preparations and showed how they are building on the experience of Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai.
In a “Futures Presentation Relay”, the Expo's 11 Producers then shared how the Expo’s theme continues to evolve through their work. The summit closed with a reading of “Futures Messages” gathered from members of the public at Expo 2025 Futures events across Japan. The Expo’s official character, Myaku-Myaku, also made an appearance.
Japan is a founding member of the BIE, and the country has successfully organised six Expos across different categories under the auspices of the Organisation. Horticultural Expo 2027 Yokohama will be the seventh.
