Diplomatic Bluebook 2021
Chapter 3
Japan's Economic Diplomacy to Promote National and Global Interests
5 The Road to 2025 World Expo Osaka (Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan)
In accordance with “The Act on Special Measures Necessary for Preparing for and Managing of the International Exposition in 2025,” the Headquarters for the World Expo was established at the Cabinet Secretariat in September to work with the relevant ministries and agencies, the business community and local governments to prepare for the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
Following the approval of a registration application for the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan at the General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) held on December 1, Japan, as the host country, began activities to officially invite other countries and international organizations to participate in the expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. On December 21, the International Exhibitions Promotion Office formulated Japan's basic policy of the government toward the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. Domestic preparations for this expo have also begun that include selecting a producer, deciding on a logo, and formulating a basic policy (see the Column on page 209).
With the theme of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan aims to utilize this expo as an important opportunity to broadly disseminate information about Japan's appeal and accelerate initiatives toward the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are all to be achieved by 2030. Japan will continue making a concerted national effort aimed at ensuring the expo inspires and surprises people around the world, while also bringing joy to everyone in Japan.
The logo for the 2025 World Exposition in Japan (hereinafter referred to as “Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan”) was confirmed on August 25. The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition solicited proposals for the public to submit logo designs, and received a total of 5,894 works. The design produced by TEAM INARI (Representative: Mr. Shimada Tamotsu) was selected as the logo. We spoke to the team about the thoughts and sentiments they had included in the logo, and their expectations for the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
─ The logo for the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan created a stir for its unique design, and was even picked up by foreign press. How did you come up with the idea for this logo?
Mr. Shimada: The theme of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan is “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” and we were presented with key ideas such as “every individual reaching their full potential and excelling,” and “connecting individuals to realize co-creation.” Based on these concepts, we started production with the idea of viewing a simple circle as a single life, imbuing it with various character traits, and connecting them again.
─ Could you tell us about the thoughts you included in this logo design?
Mr. Shimada: We created this logo on the concept of “the cell,” which supports the vitality of life. The parts of the logo that look like eyeballs are in fact inspired by the cherry blossom petals in the logo of the Japan World Exposition, 1970 Osaka Expo, and the two are matching in both form and number. In other words, it is a metaphor that suggests that the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan succeeds the 1970 Osaka Expo through the “DNA (genes)” in the cells. We have included in this logo our hopes that the event will pass on the history and culture of Osaka to the future.
─ The theme of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan places importance on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations. Does the logo have any connection to the SDGs?
Mr. Shimada: The perspective of “a world in which no one is left behind,” as set out in the SDGs, is one that resonates strongly with us. Hence, this logo was created with a view to sending our message that each individual can make most use of his/her brilliant uniqueness. Even if we are looking in different directions, we can surely still join hands. We can accept and respect each other. These sentiments have definitely been included in the design of this logo.
─ It is hoped that the logo will be spread and seen widely by people around the world as we move toward the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, which will take place in four years' time. In what ways do you hope it will succeed?
Mr. Shimada: This logo may be taken differently depending on viewer. It appears to be something that does not stay still and is constantly on the move; in this sense, it may appear to be unstable in some way. Nevertheless, I think of it as something that is “living.” I hope that this “fetal movement” will become a full, dynamic movement someday. I hope that the people in the world support the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan so that it will be a stage for such movement.
─ Having the Expo '70 Commemorative Park and Tower of the Sun makes the 1970 Osaka Expo feel like it is still close to our hearts in Kansai even today. As a citizen from Osaka, what do you expect for this upcoming Expo?
Mr. Shimada: The members of TEAM INARI are all creators who are based and active in Osaka. Two are from the generation who experienced the 1970 Osaka Expo, and they still clearly remember the global scale of excitement they felt at the time. We are surprised that technologies and ideas such as mobile phones and videophones, electric vehicles, and linear motor cars, which were only a dream at the time, have become reality before we knew it. I believe the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan will stir that sense of wonder again, in a way that befits our present era. We will be able to share the story of “a future that will surely come true” with the world once again in Japan, and in Osaka too. I am already looking forward to that moment.
Logo of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan
Logo of the 1970 Osaka Expo (Photo: Osaka Prefectural Government)
Tower of the Sun (Photo: Osaka Prefectural Government)
TEAM INARI at the press conference for the announcement of the Best Logo Design Award (Photo: Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition)