The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition (hereinafter referred to as “the Association”), in collaboration with the “One Million Origami Cranes for Our Lives” project organised by Yumetomo Project in Kadoma, which aims to display one million origami cranes during Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan (hereinafter referred to as “the Expo”), as part of the “TEAM EXPO 2025” programme. Approximately 50,000 origami cranes, mainly folded by people with dementia and the elderly, will be displayed on the walls of one of the visitor rest areas at the Expo site.
By making origami cranes together with local people, this project aims to build links with society for people with dementia and elderly people in need of care across the country, in order to create a society where people with dementia can shine even when they have dementia. This initiative has put smiles on the faces of many elderly people, and the lives of each and every one of them are shining.
In addition to the Expo site, these origami cranes will be displayed in Osaka Monorail trains and other locations to welcome visitors from all over the world.
Exhibition Period: Sunday, 13 April to Monday, 13 October 2025 (Expo Period)
Location: Visitor rest areas (floor area approx. 300 m2)
Exhibit: 50,000 origami cranes strung together on a wall.
Organised by: Yumetomo Project in Kadoma Executive Committee / TEAM EXPO 2025 Orizuru Crane Japan
Co-organised by: Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition
Co-creation partners: Osaka Monorail, ATC, Kadoma City, Hannan City
(Concept image of the exhibit)
Courtesy of the Yumetomo Project in Kadoma
(Location of exhibit)
(For Reference)
About the “TEAM EXPO 2025” Programme
The “TEAM EXPO 2025” programme is an initiative aimed at creating the ideal future society together, with diverse participants taking the lead. The purpose of this program is the realization of the theme of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” and the contribution to the achievement of SDGs toward the opening of the Expo. Companies, research institutions (universities, research institutes, etc.), national and government-related organisations (independent administrative institutions, etc.), international organisations, local governments, NGOs, NPOs, university students and senior / junior high school students, approximately 2,700 organisations (as of end-January 2025), are participating in the Co-Creation Challenge.
For more information, click here. https://team.expo2025.or.jp/en/index
Activities of the Yumetomo Project and the History of Origami Cranes
The Yumetomo Project in Kadoma was inspired by the earnest wish of a daughter whose mother with dementia said “I want her to shine even if she has dementia.”. We are working to create spaces and activities where people with dementia can continue to have roles in society and shine with a smile. We aim this by connecting people with dementia and their families, carers and welfare workers, government officials and civic groups, and others with a united goal.
The Yumetomo Project is working on the “One Million Origami Cranes for Our Lives Project”, which aims to display one million paper cranes, mainly folded by people with dementia and the elderly throughout Japan, to welcome visitors from all over the world to Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. These origami cranes will be displayed at the Expo site and in various other locations.
In autumn 2023, with the cooperation of the Izumiya Shopping Center Kadoma (commercial facility), the Project created the “Origami Cranes for Our Lives JAPAN Pavilion,” displaying 200,000 origami cranes, creating place where people with dementia and the elderly can bond over origami cranes.
At the Expo 2020 Dubai, which was held from October 2021 to the end of March 2022, the Yumetomo Project initiated the project entitled “Connecting the World with Origami Cranes from Expo 2020 Dubai to Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan” and gave “Origami Cranes as Hospital Gifts” to visitors from all over the world who came to the Japan Pavilion.
Now, the activities have expanded beyond Osaka Prefecture and the Kansai region, to Miyagi Prefecture, Namie Town in Fukushima Prefecture, Kagawa Prefecture, Okinawa Prefecture, the UK, and Nigeria. In the future, we hope to expand the places and opportunities for people with dementia to connect with origami cranes throughout Japan and the world.
For more information, click here.
https://team.expo2025.or.jp/ja/challenge/121 (Japanese)