Osaka Expo Attracts Visitors with Authentic, Hands-On Exhibits

Osaka, Oct. 13 (Jiji Press)–Countries participating in the 2025 World Exposition in the city of Osaka, western Japan, have fascinated visitors with a variety of authentic and hands-on exhibits. Some of the participating countries and regions at the Osaka Expo, the first World Expo held in Japan since the 2005 Expo in the central prefecture of Aichi, promoted friendly relations with the host nation through exhibits at their pavilions. The 184-day Expo in the Osaka Prefecture capital, attended by 158 countries and regions, is set to close Monday evening. Art to Remain Key in Future Society The Italy Pavilion drew huge attention with a number of works of art that appeared in Japan for the first time, including the Farnese Atlas, a marble sculpture created in ancient Rome. Visitors had to wait in line for up to seven hours to enter the pavilion, which went viral mainly through social media, according to an Italian official in charge. Human ideas will remain important in the future society, and what is necessary to create them is real art, Mario Vattani, the Italian government representative at the pavilion, said. The Italy Pavilion achieved a success as it attracted numerous visitors, he said. At the USA Pavilion, the United States displayed a “moon rock” sampled by its Apollo 17 lunar probe in 1972, after the country showcased a lunar rock also at the 1970 World Expo held in the city of Suita in Osaka Prefecture. At the Japan Pavilion, one of the largest Mars rocks in the world was on display, attracting many visitors. Dispelling Image as Dangerous Country At the Jordan Pavilion, a “desert” was replicated using 22 tons of sand brought from the Middle East nation, allowing visitors to walk on it barefoot. The hands-on exhibit was well received and won the first place in the satisfaction rankings of major Japanese ticketing company Pia Corp. Shifa Zghoul, the acting Jordanian government representative, said that she studied Japanese culture deeply from the planning stage. While noting that Japanese people have a wrong image that Jordan is a dangerous country, she said she wanted them to feel the sand and feel the real Jordan. The country’s efforts have reached the hearts of Japanese people, she said, adding that she is full of gratitude. Highlighting Friendship with Japan As one of the characteristics of the Osaka Expo, Shinya Hashizume, professor at Osaka Metropolitan University, noted that many foreign pavilions displayed exhibits highlighting friendship with Japan. Hashimoto was involved in the planning of the Japan Pavilion at the 2020 World Expo in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. The France Pavilion, with the theme of “a hymn to love,” was designed based on the concept of “the legend of the red thread” in Japanese culture, which refers to the joining of two beings by an invisible, indestructible magic thread attached to their little fingers, according to the pavilion’s website. The Italy Pavilion showed a portrait of Ito Mancio, one of the members of a Japanese mission sent to Rome in the late 16th century to pay homage to the then Pope. “The pavilions of countries around the world carried their own messages, showing how they perceive Japan,” according to Hashizume. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]