Press Release

©SANAA

On 10 September 2024, the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition (hereinafter referred to as “the Association”), together with producer MIYATA Hiroaki (Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Keio University), who is in charge of the thematic project “Resonance of Lives” at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan (hereinafter referred to as “the Expo”), held a press briefing to introduce the exhibition plan of the signature pavilion “Better Co- Being”.

　　　　　　　　　　　　Presentation　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Photo Session

Pavilion Overview
The signature pavilion “Better Co-Being” has no roof or walls and stands together with the Forest of Tranquillity in the centre of the Expo venue (designer: SANAA, site area: 1,634.99 m2).
Here, the essence of the technology that will bring about a shift in civilisation is seen as ‘resonance’, and questions about the relationships between people, the world, and the future are shared in a space that dissolves boundaries. Through experiences centred on art, visitors will walk together in harmony between the diverse richness of each individual and a sustainable future and think about the future. We hope that the resonant experience we share with visitors will provide hits to a ‘Future Society for Our Lives’.
The logo (Diverse Sphere) expressing ‘Better Co-Being’ represents the bright future society brought about by the resonance of such diverse lives.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　“Better Co-Being” Logo  (Diverse Sphere)

The pavilion building is currently undergoing external construction, with building work due for completion at the end of October 2024.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Pavilion construction (as of the end of July, 2024)

Pavilion Exhibition Overview    
The Pavilion exhibition aims to provide resonant experiences where visitors connect and resonate with each other to envisage the future together. Visitors will form groups and face the future together, starting from the once-in-a-lifetime connection that brought them together on that particular day and time, through three major resonance experiences. Each resonance experience will be planned and produced in collaboration with artists active in Japan and abroad. The names of the artists and the content of the exhibited works will be announced on the official website after January 2025.

◇ Entrance – Sequence 1: “Resonance between People”

©SANAA

©SANAA

Under the theme of ‘resonance between people’, Sequence 1 looks at the self and others and creates an experience that reaffirms the question of what we connect through. The art installation is composed of diverse motifs that are in keeping with the Expo’s theme. By confronting motifs that illuminate the values that others hold dear and the inner wishes of the self, visitors will find clues to resonance as they move together into the future.

◇ Sequence 2: “Resonance between People and the World”

©SANAA
Sequence 2 is an experience based on the theme of “resonance between people and the world,” where visitors connect with each other and face the world together to create a better future. While recognising the differences between self and others and diverse values in Sequence 1, we create a “rainbow” symbolizing a better future. How will you walk through it, feeling connected to the world and the people, plants, and nature that have gathered there? The experience of walking together while recognising differences underfoot and looking up at the same sky is connected to the Expo’s theme of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.”

◇ Sequence 3: “Resonance between People and the Future”

©SANAA

Under the theme of “Resonance between People and the Future,” Sequence 3 will create an image of the future as a five-sense experience centred on visual art by layering the experiences of visitors gathered on that particular day and time. The experience of connecting people to people, people to the world, and people to the future will be a one-time event that differs each time depending on weather conditions and the combination of people. The resonance that occurs here is only a fleeting experience, but we hope that the resonance of Better Co-Being, however subtle, will provide clues for walking together into the future.

◇ Two key materials that lead visitors to a resonant experience
This pavilion will use two key materials that link data to lead visitors to a resonant experience. These materials are currently under development through co-creation with the sponsors and are being tested in a demonstration experiment. More details will be announced on the official website.

　　　　　　　　　Better Co-Being application 　©OBAYASHI CORPORATION　 mysterious pebble “echorb”

1）Better Co-Being App (sponsored by OBAYASHI CORPORATION)
　This is a web-based application that supports visitors’ resonant experiences. It archives visitors’ experiences throughout the Expo and encourages awareness of the diverse perspectives and values of others.

2）mysterious pebble “echorb” (supported by Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.)
　Applying the technology of 3D haptics, visitors are led to a resonant experience through a mysterious sense of touch. It connects diverse participants and creates opportunities for them to resonate with each other.

　◇　About the Virtual Pavilion

The Better Co-Being Virtual Pavilion will showcase the “Better Co-Being Journal” created from everyone’s memories, aiming for the pavilion to be completed together with the participants under the theme of empathy and resonance. As the pavilion is currently under development, specifications and design may be subject to change. Details will be announced on the official website in the future. (supported by TOPPAN Holdings Inc.)

About the Signature Events
Throughout the duration of the Expo, signature events are planned to be organised to think about and draw the future society that Better Co-Being stands for together with visitors. In collaboration with the sponsors, a multifaceted programme is being considered from a variety of areas.

●  EXPO Resonance Fest (tentative).
[Outline]
Exhibition, workshops, and stage events will be held together with people who share the philosophy of ‘Better Co-Being’.
[Dates/location].
(1) 15 May 2025: EXPO Arena; (2) 18-19 June 2025: EXPO Exhibition Centre(3) 30 June 2025: EXPO Hall

● High school students’ business contest for the future and health supported by TOWA PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.
[Outline]
A business contest to be held to create a “Future Society for Our Lives” with visitors in order to “accelerate the realisation of diverse wellbeing (co-being) that meets the needs of each individual”.
[Dates/location.]  4 August, 2025: EXPO Hall　

● Better Co-Being Forum (tentative) supported by AstraZeneca K.K. and  Alexion Pharma GK  
[Outline]
A forum and exhibition to be held to discuss various global issues together with experts and specialists from Japan and abroad for the health of people, society and the planet, and to envision the future of equitable healthcare.
[Dates/location]
To be determined

The content and dates are currently being planned and are subject to change. Details on dates, times and locations will be announced on the official website in due course.

Booking a Visit to the Pavilion
The Super Early Bird Special Lottery for holders of Super Early Bird One-Day Tickets will be open from 25 September to 6 October this year. Some dates for Better Co-Being are also subject to the Super-Early Bird One-Day Tickets Lottery.

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[Better Co-Being Sponsors List]
◇ Gold Partners: OBAYASHI CORPORATION / Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
◇Silver Partners: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. / THE YOMIURI SHIMBUN
◇ Bronze Partners: AstraZeneca K.K. / TOWA PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD. / TOPPAN Holdings Inc.
◇ Partners: Alexion Pharma GK
◇ Suppliers: LED TOKYO Co., Ltd.

[Better Co-Being WEB Site] https://co-being.jp/expo2025/en/

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