Japan’s World Expo Ends on a High Note After Early Hurdles

Japan’s World Expo Ends on a High Note After Early Hurdles

Japan officially concluded its six-month-long World Expo on Monday, celebrating an unexpectedly successful run that overcame a slow start, contaminated fountains, and swarms of pesky flies to draw more than 27 million visitors.

The Expo, held in Osaka, surpassed expectations with its blend of innovation, sustainability, and culture. Its star attraction — the Grand Ring, the world’s largest wooden structure — became a symbol of the event’s success. Designed by acclaimed Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto, the circular wooden canopy surrounded all national pavilions, offering visitors a serene yet awe-inspiring experience.

The structure proved so popular that a local high school student launched an online petition to preserve it in its entirety. “At the moment I stepped onto the ring, something inside me changed,” the student wrote. “Standing beneath the 20-metre-high wooden roof, I felt the warmth of the wood seep through my body, filling me with an indescribable emotion.”

Organisers currently plan to preserve a 200-metre section of the Grand Ring on Osaka’s artificial island, but nearly 7,000 petitioners have called for saving the entire structure.

Despite initial fears that the event would attract little attention, Expo 2025 turned into a financial and cultural triumph. With around 160 countries and regions showcasing technology, culture, and food, organisers now expect to post a profit of at least 23 billion yen (approximately $150 million), buoyed by strong ticket sales and international participation.

The exhibition’s highlights included a Mars meteorite, a beating artificial heart grown from stem cells, and Hello Kitty figures made of algae, blending scientific advancement with Japanese creativity.

However, the road to success was far from smooth. Early on, the Expo faced issues ranging from insect infestations to a legionella outbreak in its Water Plaza. During the summer heatwave, a breakdown of the only train line to the venue left over 30,000 visitors stranded overnight, with several requiring hospitalisation.

“Compared with past events, this Expo was the most expensive and complex,” said Jacques Maire, head of the French Pavilion. “But in the end, it was magnificent.”

The World Expo, which began in 1851 in London as a global celebration of innovation and culture, has seen iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower emerge from its legacy. Following Osaka’s success, the next World Expos are scheduled to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2030 and 2031, continuing the tradition of connecting nations through creativity and progress.