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Osaka welcomes future society-themed World Expo 2025

Flag bearers enter the venue during the opening ceremony of the Expo 2025 in Osaka, central Japan, Saturday, April 12, 2025.
Flag bearers enter the venue during the opening ceremony of the Expo 2025 in Osaka, central Japan, Saturday, April 12, 2025. Copyright  Hiro Komae/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved
Copyright Hiro Komae/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved
By David O'Sullivan with AP
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This will be the second time the Japanese city is hosting the World Expo, having previously done so in 1970.

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The opening ceremony of the World Expo 2025 was held in the Japanese city of Osaka on Saturday. 

Themed "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," Japan hopes to bring unity and portray a future society through its ideas of life, the world and the future. 

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed his hope that the event would help restore global unity in a world plagued by conflicts and trade wars. 

“The world, having overcome the coronavirus pandemic, is now threatened by an array of divisions,” Ishiba said.  

“At a time like this, it is extremely meaningful that people from around the world gather here and discuss the theme of life and experience cutting-edge technology, diverse ideas and culture.” 

Around 1,300 people, including the Japanese emperor, attended the opening ceremony. 

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of Osaka Expo 2025 in Osaka, western Japan, Saturday, April 12, 2025.
Artists perform during the opening ceremony of Osaka Expo 2025 in Osaka, western Japan, Saturday, April 12, 2025. Hiro Komae/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved

Futuristic exhibitions will be showcased in dozens of pavilions with unique designs. About 180 countries, regions and organisations will be hosted in the city during the exposition. 

It is Osaka's second world expo after the 1970 event, which was a huge success and attracted 64 million visitors — a record until Shanghai broke it in 2010. 

World expos are huge international events where countries from around the globe come together to showcase innovation, culture, technology and ideas for the future.  

Each participating country builds its own pavilion focused on the expo’s theme. 

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