Osaka Kansai World Expo 2025: Designing the Future Together
Under the inspiring theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”, the Expo calls on humanity to imagine bold solutions for tomorrow’s challenges, highlighting technologies, creativity, and visions that are already shaping our shared future.
With 158 countries and regions taking part, the Expo is a truly global stage. Visitors are arriving in unprecedented numbers; attendance has already soared past 20 million, with record-breaking days welcoming up to 200,000 people. Osaka has become the beating heart of the world’s imagination.
Europe at the Expo: Nurturing Tomorrow
Europe did not miss the call! The European Union Pavilion, a space designed as a journey into a future shaped by the values of the New European Bauhaus: sustainability, inclusivity, and beauty, is performing as a central piece of attraction. By early September, more than 564,000 visitors had explored the EU Pavilion, with an average of 2,500 people per day discovering Europe’s vision of a shared tomorrow.
Around the theme “Nurturing Tomorrow”, the EU Pavilion unfolds across three immersive zones:
- Empowering People, displaying innovation and citizen-driven solutions.
- Connecting Communities, fostering dialogue, creativity, and cooperation.
- Protecting Lives, highlighting Europe’s commitment to health, environment, and humanitarian action.
European Union, 2025
Interactive digital installations bring these stories to life, inviting visitors to walk through green cities, explore sustainable agriculture, or discover how Europe contributes to global health and resilience.
Adding a touch of playfulness, the Expo also introduces Europa, the EU’s manga-inspired mascot, draped in the Union’s blue and gold. Named after the foundational myth, Europa embodies Europe’s spirit of creativity, freedom, unity, and sustainability, capturing the imagination of visitors young and old.
European Union, 2025
A Stage for Leaders and Global Dialogue
The Expo has also become a stage for global public diplomacy. European leaders, including Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, António Costa, and Kaja Kallas, have already visited, alongside a stream of Commissioners and Parliament members.
Each visit reinforces the Expo’s role as a platform for dialogue and cooperation, covering themes from democracy and finance to sustainability, innovation, and industrial policy. With more visits planned before October, Europe’s presence continues to grow stronger as the Expo heads toward its grand finale.
European Union, 2025
Culture as a Universal Language for dialogue
EU presence brings along intercultural dialogue. The EU, as united in diversity, embraces culture as a universal language, offering to the visitors a vibrant programme that blends European traditions with Japanese creativity.
From performing and visual arts to animation film, fashion, design, youth and children activities, the Pavilion becomes a stage for co-creation. Collaborations ripple across Osaka and beyond, connecting artists, researchers, and communities in both regions.
You can discover more about the EU Pavilion cultural programme here.
European Union, 2025
Europe Day at Expo 2025
On 9 May 2025, the Expo site turned blue and gold for Europe Day. At the Ray Garden, the official ceremony featured speeches by Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and Japan’s State Minister Yuichiro Koga, reaffirming the strength of EU–Japan ties.
The celebrations unfolded across the day with dazzling performances, from Ars Electronica’s immersive Pianographique to orchestral music, modern dance, and DJ sets. “Team Europe” brought Europe to life through animation screenings, fairy tale readings, and even a stamp rally linking all EU Member State pavilions.
It was a day where culture, friendship, and imagination converged, leaving visitors with lasting memories.
European Union, 2025
More than a Showcase: A Living Laboratory
The Osaka Kansai World Expo 2025 is far more than an exhibition. It is a living laboratory of ideas, partnerships, and creativity. The Expo embodies hope for a society where technology, culture, and collaboration come together to nurture a better tomorrow.
As the world gathers in Osaka, one truth shines brightly: the future is not something to wait for: It is something we design, together.
Stay updated on and discover highlights on activities on the dedicated EU at World Expos website.
