Osaka: The 2025 World Exposition in Osaka officially opened to the public on Sunday, marking the start of a six-month event that will run until October 13. The exposition boasts a record participation of 158 countries and regions, including Kuwait.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the event is themed "Designing Future Society for our Lives," with participants showcasing their cultures and technologies on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay, western Japan. The Japan Association anticipates that approximately 28.2 million people will visit the expo.
The expo features the Grand Ring, the world's largest wooden structure with a circumference of 2 km, embodying the concept of "Unity in Diversity." Highlights at the Japan Pavilion include the iPS heart beating, flying cars, and a rock from Mars.
During the opening ceremony on Saturday, Emperor Naruhito expressed hope that Expo 2025 Osaka would inspire global cooperation towards a sustainable future. Kuwait's pavilion is designed as a narrative in two parts, with the base level focusing on heritage and tradition, and the higher level showcasing future aspirations.
The pavilion takes visitors on an immersive journey through Kuwait's past, present, and future in four exhibition rooms that blend tradition with modern technology. The space where the two levels meet is called the pearl, honoring the historic role of the pearl diving industry in Kuwait's economy and maritime history.
Named the Visionary Lighthouse, each section of the pavilion utilizes interactive technologies and Artificial Intelligence to tell a unique story. Kuwait's participation in Expo 2025 follows its involvement in Expo 1970 in Osaka, which was the first of its kind in Japan and attracted over 64 million visitors.