Press Release

2024.01.12 Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, Italy Pavilion Ground-Breaking Ceremony Held
Photo of the ground-breaking ceremony (from the left: Marco PRENCIPE, Consul General of Italy in Osaka; NISHIO Masashi, President, NISHIO HOLDINGS CO., LTD; ISHIGE Hiroyuki, Secretary General, Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition; Mario VATTANI, Commissioner General for Italy; YOSHIMURA Hirofumi, Governor of Osaka Prefecture; KINUGAWA Takashi, Executive Vice President, Kohsei Kensetsu Corporation; HIMENO Tsutomu, Government Representative/Ambassador in charge of the Kansai region)

On December 19, 2023, a ground-breaking ceremony for the Italy Pavilion was held at the planned construction site in Yumeshima as the first Official Participants’ Pavilion. Mario VATTANI, Commissioner General for Italy, and other related parties attended the ceremony.

Mario VATTANI, Commissioner General for Italy, commented,

“We are very pleased to hold the first ground-breaking ceremony at the Expo site out of all the Official Participants of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. The Italy Pavilion team consists of members from Italy and Japan. The members are architect Mario CUCINELLA, NISHIO HOLDINGS CO., LTD; Kohsei Kensetsu Corporation, and NOMURA Co., Ltd. We will work together to ensure the success of Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan, and to strengthen and develop the partnership between Italy and Japan.”

Overview of the Italy Pavilion

Exterior design of the Italy Pavilion

The concept of the Italy Pavilion is the “Ideal City” of the Italian Renaissance. For the first time in Expo history, the Holy See will be welcomed inside the Italy Pavilion. The pavilion will include a space for interaction, a theater for opera performances, and a space for exhibiting the latest Italian technology and artwork. Construction will soon begin for the Italy Pavilion, which also includes an Italian-style garden and restaurant on the rooftop.
The construction of Italy Pavilion will be led by architect Mario CUCINELLA, as well as NISHIO HOLDINGS CO., LTD, and NOMURA Co.,Ltd. Yoshiki Matsuda Architects will serve as the Architect of Record (AoR).

For reference
● Press release (Italian only)
L’Italia apre il cantiere, in pole position ad Expo Osaka 2025 | L’ITALIA A EXPO 2025 OSAKA (italyexpo2025osaka.it)

Inquiries

Public Relations Department, Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition
E-mail: media@expo2025.or.jp