The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition (hereinafter referred to as “the Association”) held “Expo 2025 One Year to Go – Towards a Brighter Future for All” in Tokyo on Saturday, 13 April, 2024, one year before the opening of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan (hereinafter referred to as “the Expo”).
・Date and time: Saturday, 13 April, 2024 14:00 to 15:30
・Speakers: (In no particular order)
| Prime Minister | KISHIDA Fumio *Video Message |
| Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry | SAITO Ken |
| Minister of the World Expo 2025 | JIMI Hanako |
| Chairperson of the Association | TOKURA Masakazu *Video Message |
| Senior Advisor to the Association | KOSHINO Junko *Video Message |
| Thematic Project Producers | MIYATA Hiroaki ISHIGURO Hiroshi NAKAJIMA Sachiko OCHIAI Yoichi FUKUOKA Shin-Ichi KAWAMORI Shoji KOYAMA Kundo KAWASE Naomi |
| Special supporters of the Expo | IZAWA Takushi (QuizKnock) imma *Opening video AOKI Munetaka KOJIMA Karin (NMB48) SHIOTSUKI Keito (NMB48) SAKATA Misaki (NMB48) |
| Guest | KIRIYAMA Ren |
| Uniform Models | NISHIMURA Kodo TERADA Yusuke Amane and others |
The event began with a speech from the Chairperson of the Association, TOKURA Masakazu, on behalf of the organisers, followed by a video message from Prime Minister KISHIDA and greetings from SAITO Ken, Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry and JIMI Hanako, Minister of the World Expo 2025. The opening video featured a report on the current state of the Yumeshima site by imma, a special supporter of the Expo. In addition, video messages from YAMANAKA Shinya, an ambassador of the Expo, and KATSURA Bunshi, a senior advisor, were also shown to help raise enthusiasm for the Expo.
(*See below for the translated comment transcript.)
Following the opening greetings, there was a talk session featuring the eight thematic project producers and IZAWA Takuji of QuizKnock as the facilitator. The producers introduced and discussed the progress of each of the signature projects that they are preparing.
■”First Greetings” from MYAKU-MYAKU
After the talk session, MYAKU-MYAKU, the official mascot of the Expo, appeared on video and greeted the audience by saying “Hello” for the first time. MYAKU-MYAKU’s cute voice instantly made the atmosphere in the venue more relaxed, wrapping up the first half of the event.
Next, special supporter of the Expo actor AOKI Munetaka acted as MC for the “Official Uniform Collection for the 2025 Japan International Exposition” fashion show, which unveiled the official uniforms that will be worn by the staff at the Expo.
A total of 11 official staff uniforms in five categories were unveiled. These included the venue service attendant staff uniforms and uniforms derived from them. The design was selected from the submissions to the public call for designs that was held from 18 May to 19 June 2023, based on the following criteria:
① Design in line with the uniform design concept
② Innovative design fitting for a laboratory for future society
③ Eye-catching, buzzworthy design
④ Ease of movement and functionality
⑤ Gender- and age-neutral design
⑥ Mass-producible design
The show opened with a video message from KOSHINO Junko, Senior Advisor to the Expo.
(*See below for the translated comment transcript.)
■Venue Service Attendant Staff Uniforms
First to be unveiled were the Venue Service Attendant Staff uniforms, which will be worn mainly by staff working as guest attendants, interpreters, and at information centres. The colourful uniform, which uses the SDGs colours as its inner wear, can be worn in any combination depending on the weather and personal preference. The bottom also features a long skirt, giving the same impression as when wearing a kimono, in a Japanese style. Actor KIRIYAMA Ren, KOJIMA Karin from special supporter NMB48, and LGBTQ human rights activist and artist/monk NISHIMURA Kodo showcased the new uniforms with style down the runway.
■Official uniforms of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition
Next to be unveiled were the official uniforms to be worn by the staff of the Association during ceremonies and when welcoming VIPs from the official participating countries.
■Operations Staff Uniforms
Next, the operations staff uniforms, which will be worn mainly by staff working outdoors (e.g. guides), were unveiled. The models were SHIOTSUKI Keito and SAKATA Misaki from NMB48, and TERADA Yusuke, a wheelchair social media influencer.
MC AOKI Munetaka emphasised that the uniforms are in line with the Expo’s philosophy of contributing to the achievement of the SDGs by highlighting the characteristics of the uniforms’ materials. The fabric can be decomposed into water and carbon dioxide by microorganisms in the soil and transformed into compost after use, and the hats are made from reed fibres from the Yodogawa River system and Lake Biwa, which will be transformed into display boards after the Expo is over.
■Cleaning staff and Medical staff Uniforms
The last uniforms to be unveiled were those of the cleaning staff, who ensure that the Expo site is maintained in perfect condition every day, and the medical staff, who protect the health of everyone involved in the Expo. Amane, a model with a leg prosthesis, and others appeared on the stage wearing the uniforms made from natural materials such as wood-based fibres sourced from sustainably harvested domestic forests.
After the fashion show, HATTORI Mariko, the designer of the winning Venue Attendant Staff uniform design, appeared on the stage for a talk session to explain her ideas behind the design.
・Comment from Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Ambassador, YAMANAKA Shinya
Hello, everyone. I’m Shinya Yamanaka from Kyoto University’s iPS Cell Research Institute. With one year to go until the opening, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan is approaching with the theme of “life.” I hope that children, who are the next generation of leaders, will experience Expo with their five senses. Towards a brighter future for all, feel the exciting future at the Expo. I’m looking forward to the opening of the Expo.
・Comment from Senior Advisor to the Expo, KATSURA Bunshi
I was a host of EXPO ‘70. There has never been such an exciting and exciting event. It will come again next year. I’m already looking forward to it. Towards a brighter future for all. Please, everyone, come to the Expo.
・Comment from Senior Advisor to the Expo, KOSHINO Junko
Hello, I’m Junko Koshino. As a senior advisor to the Expo, I attended the design review of the Venue Service Attendant Staff uniform. My experience of Expo 1970 Osaka has been a huge part of my life. Like HATTORI, who won the Excellence Award at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, I hope that many new designers will emerge and use the Expo as an opportunity to make great strides. I would also be very happy if many young people and children coming to the Expo could come into contact with design and become interested in it. Now, please take a look at the great uniform designs.
▽One year before the opening of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan ~ Towards a brighter future for all. ~
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdnyP751IhM
▽PRESS RELEASE
・Excellent Award Design for Service Attendant Staff Uniform at Venue Announced!
https://www.expo2025.or.jp/news/news-20240413-01/ (Japanese)
・Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Official Staff Uniform and Sponsor Announced
https://www.expo2025.or.jp/news/news-20240413-02/ (Japanese)
▽1 Year to Go Before the Opening of the Expo events and initiatives
1 Year to Go Before the Opening of the Expo events, activities and programs held nationwide were announced on the Association’s official website.
・Introduction of events to be held 1 Year to Go Before the Opening of Expo event
https://www.expo2025.or.jp/news/news-20240328-08 (Japanese)
(Enquiries)
Global Communication Department, Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition
Email: globalpr@expo2025.or.jp