Press Release

National Live Broadcasts, Theme, and some Performers Announced

Opening Ceremony venues: EXPO Hall “Shining Hat” and EXPO National Day Hall “Ray Garden”

The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition (hereinafter referred to as “the Association”) is pleased to announce the details of the opening ceremony of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan (hereinafter referred to as “the Expo”).
The opening ceremony is a grand ceremony to declare the opening of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan and marks the start of the event. It will share the Expo’s theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives“ with all people around the world and mark the start of efforts toward realising this theme.

▽Outline of the Opening Ceremony
　Time and Date: 14:00 – 15:10, Saturday, 12 April 2025 (Planned)
　Venues: EXPO Hall “Shining Hat” and EXPO National Day Hall “Ray Garden”
　Organiser: The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition

　The opening ceremony will not be open to the general public. However, it will be broadcast live nationwide by NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation).
　(Broadcast schedule) Saturday, 12 April 2025, 13:55-15:15 *Broadcast times are subject to change.

▽Opening Ceremony Theme

In today’s world, where social divisions are an issue, the theme of the opening ceremony is “Re-Connect: Circulate, Resonate, Return, Connect.” It will be a space for people to rediscover not only the links between people but also between animals, objects, nature, and everything else.

▽Performers
　KOBUKURO (Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Ambassadors)
　SADO Yutaka (Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Ambassadors)
　Osaka Symphony Orchestra
　Osaka Shion Wind Orchestra
　Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra
　Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra
　Japan Century Symphony Orchestra
　ONOE Kikunosuke (5th Generation)
　NAKAMURA Hayato (1st Generation)
　NAKAMURA Kangyoku (1st Generation)

　* Only some of the performers are listed in this press release.
　Please note that the performers are subject to change without notice.

▽Opening Ceremony Venues
　EXPO Hall “Shining Hat”
　The EXPO Hall is a symbol of the entire venue. Its design is reminiscent of the “Tower of the Sun” from Expo ’70 with its large, golden, round roof and its strong, stark-looking walls rising from the earth. The theatre in the round, with its seats and stage all in one, is a festive space wrapped in textured, pure white fabric that symbolises the “Future Society for Our Lives”

　EXPO National Day Hall “Ray Garden”
　The EXPO National Day Hall is a hub for international exchange where events for official participants will be held. The architecture celebrates the relationship between the sea and earth of the Expo site, which has been a gate for international exchange since ancient times. Multiple bands of slabs blend the outside space and indoor entertainment venues to create a lively environment.

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