A major international event

For Japanese people, every substance, be it of human, animal, vegetable or mineral origin, “carries life within it”. Expo 2025 Osaka conveys this vision with the theme that has been chosen for the Expo: “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”.

Visit the Expo 2025 Osaka website

From 13 April to 13 October 2025, more than 160 participating countries are invited to imagine tomorrow’s society together, based on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. World Expo visitors are also invited to get involved in co-designing a sustainable society, one where every individual is supported in their aspiration to shape a world that is more harmonious, and one where our societies’ futures are safeguarded.

From the centre of Osaka, Yumeshima Island can be accessed in 20 minutes by underground or road

The theme of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives” is rolled out in three distinct sub-themes

  • Saving lives

    Protecting health and preventing natural catastrophes.

  • Empowering lives

    Reimagining education and employment in a world of artificial intelligence and robotics.

  • Connecting lives

    Promoting understanding between different cultures and innovating using information and communications technologies (ICT).

  • +28 M Visitors expected
  • 160 Participating countries
  • 9 International organisations
  • 155 Hectares of surface area

From Osaka 1970 to Osaka 2025: the importance of World Expos in Japan

Japan is one of the founding members of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE). The first time Japan took part in a World Expo in France as an exhibiting country dates back to the 1867 Paris Exhibition.

Expo ‘70 Osaka was the first World Expo in Asia, held in 1970, enabling the Land of the Rising Sun to establish itself in the eyes of the world as an industrial economy at the forefront of progress. This is when Japanese visitors were first introduced to the wealth and diversity of different world cultures.  The record number of 64 million visitors made it the second most visited exhibition in the history of these major global events. 

Ever since, Japan has continually sought to grow this passion for exhibitions by organising the Tsukuba Expo in 1985, then Expo 2005 in Aichi. From 13 April to 13 October 2025, a new page in the history of World Expos will be turned in Osaka.

Previous world expositions in Japan

    • 15.03.1970
    • Osaka

    • World Expo - 64 million visitors

    • 17.03.1985
    • Tsukuba

    • Specialised Expo - 20 million visitors

    • 25.03.2005
    • Aichi

    • World Expo - 22 million visitors

Japan, one of France’s key partners

Japan is the world’s third-largest economy, making it a key destination for companies looking to set up shop and grow within Asia.

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France at the heart of World Expos

The first ever Exposition des Produits de l'Industrie Française (“Exhibition of Products of French Industry”) was organised in Paris on 19 September 1798, at a time when industry and agriculture were really flourishing. Although the concept originated in France, the first World Expo, the Great Exhibition, was held in 1851 in London. It was followed by the 1855 Paris Exposition. The 1889 Paris Exposition celebrated the centenary of the French Republic, and coincided with the construction of the Eiffel Tower, which demonstrated French mastery of all things industrial. This global icon acted as the entry point for the 1889 World Expo. Following in the footsteps of history, Japan has put the France Pavilion at the entrance of the Expo 2025 Osaka. 

Today, World Expos are still a channel for showcasing the outstanding talents of countries by highlighting their accomplishments in the fields of science, technology, industry, art and culture. France has never missed any of these international events, which are a major opportunity to express who we are on the world stage, and, as with all world gatherings, a chance to bring the French together around their Pavilion.

An introduction to the France Pavilion

The France Pavilion at the 2025 World Expo will serve as a stunning showcase of French excellence and ‘savoir-faire’. Within the Empowering Lives area, the France Pavilion brings France’s vision to an international audience.

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