Press Release

She expressed her enthusiasm for the Expo, saying, “I will do my best to make the Expo in my hometown exciting.”

(From left to right: KOBAYASHI Koji, Director General of the Public Relations and Promotion Bureau, Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition; IHARA Rikka; MYAKU-MYAKU)

(IHARA Rikka and MYAKU-MYAKU)

The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition (hereinafter referred to as “the Association”) held the “MYAKU-MYAKU PON! PR video press conference” in Tokyo on Wednesday, 17 July to further boost its “MYAKU-MYAKU PON!” present campaign for those who purchase tickets to Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan (hereinafter referred to as “the Expo”).
During the presentation, actor IHARA Rikka performed the “MYAKU-MYAKU PON! Dance” for the first time as her first activity as a special supporter of the Expo. She also shared her impressions of the dance and expressed her enthusiasm for the Expo as a special supporter.

■ Expressing expectations for the campaign, “let’s enjoy dancing and get excited for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan together!”
KOBAYASHI Koji, Director General of Public Relations and Promotion Bureau of the Association, introduced the MYAKU-MYAKU PON! Campaign. He said, “You can participate in the campaign by registering for an Expo ID and purchasing a ticket during the campaign period. There are two remaining campaign opportunities before the end of super-early bird day ticket sales on 6 October. So please take this opportunity to purchase your tickets.”
“I hope you will join us in making the Expo a great success while enjoying the dance to SO-SO’s groovy music with akane’s cute choreography and MYAKU-MYAKU’s voice,” he added expressing his hope that the “MYAKU-MYAKU PON!” dance will make people even more excited for the Expo.

■ IHARA and MYAKU-MYAKU’s first performance of the original dance
After a screening of the ‘Cha Cha Cha Chance’ version and tutorial version of the campaign video, which were released on Wednesday 17 July, MYAKU-MYAKU and IHARA Rikka, dressed in MYAKU-MYAKU colours , appeared on stage. They performed the “MYAKU-MYAKU PON! Dance” for the first time in synchronisation. The “MYAKU-MYAKU PON!” Dance was created by choreographer akane and the music was provided by beatboxer and music producer SO-SO for this campaign.
IHARA commented, “It was fun to dance with MYAKU-MYAKU! The choreography is very cute, and I want everyone to try dancing it.” MYAKU-MYAKU also told everyone to “Try dancing!” When asked about her favourite part of the dance choreographed by akane, her former teacher and choreographer of Tomioka High School’s Bubbly Dance, IHARA replied, “I love akane’s choreography. It makes me want to start dancing and copy it when I see it. In particular, the first pose with jazz hands is perfect for the image of MYAKU-MYAKU PON!”

 (MYAKU-MYAKU and IHARA performing the MYAKU-MYAKU PON! Dance)

■ IHARA’s first activity as a special supporter
She expressed her enthusiasm for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan saying, “I will do my best to liven up the Expo, which is happening in my hometown.”

 (MYAKU-MYAKU and IHARA during the talk session)

This presentation was IHARA’s first activity as a special supporter of the Expo. When asked how she felt when she was asked to be a special supporter, she said, “When I heard that the Expo was coming, I told the people around me that I wanted to be involved in it in some way, so I am very happy to be able to participate as a special supporter.” Furthermore, she said the secret to dancing well this time around is “I think if you have a sense of fun above all else, that’s all you need to be excited about!” she replied.” IHARA, who has many years of experience in dance, revealed what she is conscious of every day. She also talked about her enthusiasm for the event, saying, “I will do my best to liven up the event in my hometown!”

■ IHARA’s favourite item is the tote bag!
A total of 10 campaign-exclusive designs are available as gifts for this campaign, including a MYAKU-MYAKU plush toy, a tote bag, and a pair of key rings. Among them, the item IHARA is interested in most is the tote bag. Of the cute MYAKU-MYAKU coloured items, she commented that the bags are super cute, practical, and just the right size for going for a walk.
When asked about the skills IHARA would like to acquire for the future she envisions, in reference to the theme of the Expo, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”, she replied, “I would like to try out various things, not only dancing but singing and acting as well. I want to try out everything I’m interested in.

■ Profile of performer

▽ IHARA Rikka
IHARA was born in Osakasayama City, Osaka Prefecture. In 2015, she entered Osaka Prefectural Tomioka High School and joined the school’s dance club, which is led by choreographer akane. As captain, she has won numerous competitions, and the ‘Bubbly Dance’, in which she plays the centre role, presented at the “Japan High School Dance Club Championships”, attracted a lot of attention and has been picked up by various media. She has appeared in various dramas including Let’s Go, Jets!  (2018), NHK serial TV drama Natsuzora (2019), Seven Secretaries (2020), Kamisama no Karte (2021), My Second Aoharu (2023), NHK serial TV drama Boogie-Woogie (2023), NTV drama The Wife Who Was Deprived of Her Liver (2024).

■ Overview of “MYAKU-MYAKU PON!”
▽ Eligibility:
All those who have registered for an Expo ID and purchased an admission ticket within the applicable purchase period are eligible.
Expo ID registration website: https://usrmng.accounts.expo2025.or.jp/idmng/users/screen/menuScreen
▽ Applicable admission ticket purchase period:
 Thursday, 30 November 2023 to Sunday, 6 October 2024
▽ Eligible tickets:
  Opening tickets, First-Half Period Tickets, One-Day Tickets (Super-Early Bird), Summer Passes, Season Passes, and Special Tickets
▽ Lottery schedule:
Winners will be drawn in three instalments by 6 October 2024.
 First round: For those who purchase admission tickets by Monday, 17 June 2024
 Second round: For those who purchase admission tickets by Tuesday, 6 August 2024
 Third round: For those who purchase admission tickets by Sunday, 6 October 2024
▽ How to purchase tickets:
 Please check the ticket information at the link below.
 (Ticket information: https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/tickets-index/)
▽ Number of winners:
 Total of 5,000 people
▽ Special website for the campaign:
https://www.expo2025.or.jp/lp/lottery01/ (Japanese)
▽ Contents of the giveaway: (Note: The contents of the giveaway will change according to the age category of the admission ticket purchased)
[Adult tickets]
EXPO2025 Digital Wallet electronic money “MYAKU-PE!” (Worth JYP￥30,000, JYP￥20,000, and JYP￥10,000) and NFT “MYAKU-N!”
・JYP￥30,000: 900 people in total (300 people each time)
・JYP￥20,000: 1,500 people in total (500 people each time)
・JYP￥10,000: 1,800 people in total (600 people each time)
[Junior or Child tickets]
An assortment of limited edition “MYAKU-MYAKU PON!” Expo goods (not available for purchase) will be presented.
・”MYAKU-MYAKU PON!” Limited edition Expo goods assortment: 800 people in total

1) MYAKU-MYAKU stuffed toy
2) Tote bag
3) Towel handkerchief
4) Commemorative ticket
5) Neck strap
6) Pair of keyrings
7) Notepad
8) Mechanical pencil
9) Neck Towel
10) Eraser (10 items in total)

(Enquiries)　　
Global Communication Department, Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition
Email: globalpr@expo2025.or.jp