The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition (hereinafter referred to as the Association) is pleased to announce that “MYAKU-MYAKU,” the official character of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan (hereinafter referred to as the Expo) and its designer, YAMASHITA Kohei, have received the “Kansai Vigorous Cultural Region Award” special prize.
The award is presented once a year by the Kansai Vigorous Cultural Region Promotion Council to a person or organization that has contributed to brightening and energizing Japan from the Kansai region through cultural activities, in appreciation and expectation of further success.
The Association will continue to promote the attractiveness of the Expo with MYAKU-MYAKU and help build momentum nationwide.
Name: Kansai Vigorous Cultural Region Award Special Prize 2022
Date of Award: Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Winners: MYAKU-MYAKU, the official character of the Expo
YAMASHITA Kohei (Designer, picture book author)
The character’s friendly and memorable design, coupled with its nickname “MYAKU-MYAKU,” has been widely covered in the media and social networking services. In addition, the Association has created a new image of the character that is acceptable to the digital native generation by licensing derivative works under certain conditions, thereby creating a buzz around the Expo. We hope that MYAKU-MYAKU will continue to contribute to building momentum for the Expo, and we look forward to its further atmosphere thriving to the opening of the Expo 2025.
We thank you very much for your interest in MYAKU-MYAKU. MYAKU-MYAKU is very happy to be loved by all of you. We would be very happy if you would take an interest in the theme and significance of the Expo in supporting MYAKU-MYAKU by everyone’s free ideas. Encouraged by the award, we will continue to develop MYAKU-MYAKU into a character that will be loved and familiar to people around the world, and with MYAKU-MYAKU, we will promote the attractiveness of the Expo and liven up the atmosphere of entire Japan.
Public Relations Department, Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition
e-mail: media@expo2025.or.jp