The 2025 World Expo in Osaka is officially underway — but it hasn’t exactly captured the public imagination.
Held on Yumeshima, a man-made island in Osaka Bay, the Expo was pitched as a celebration of innovation and international cooperation. Instead, it’s been marked by construction delays, spiraling costs and lukewarm public interest.
What was once a ¥125 billion project has ballooned to ¥235 billion (about $1.6 billion). Foreign pavilion participation has been uneven. Several were unfinished at the time of opening. Some countries scaled back entirely. Meanwhile, visitors have faced long lines and limited shade — a serious issue during Japan’s brutal early summer heat.
In the latest Japan Today Spotlight episode, we look at how we got here. From the original ambitions to the messy execution, Expo 2025 seems less like a global showcase and more like a cautionary tale. Local officials hope it will drive tourism and serve as a launchpad for Yumeshima’s future casino resort. Others? Well, they aren’t so sure.
The question is no longer whether Expo 2025 will happen — it’s happening. The real question is what kind of legacy it will leave behind.
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