The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition (hereinafter referred to as “the Association”), is pleased to announce the main performers and creative team for the Opening Ceremony of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan (hereinafter referred to as “the Expo”), held today.
Speakers and Main Performers (in order of appearance)
| Programme | Speakers and Main Performers |
|---|---|
| Performance Programme Ⅰ “Relay of Life” | – |
| Performance Programme Ⅱ “Kodō(Heartbeat)” | N’ism specials YUASA Ami (Paris 2024 Olympic Games Gold Medallist) |
| Opening Remarks | Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition Secretary-General ISHIGE Hiroyuki |
| Festival Fanfare “Sora to Mirai to Part 3 ‘Matsuri to Sora to’” Short ver. | SADO Yutaka (Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Ambassador) Osaka Symphony Orchestra Osaka Shion Wind Orchestra Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra Japan Century Symphony Orchestra |
| Japanese National Anthem and Raising of the Japanese National Flag | Ayaka Osaka Council, Scout Association of Japan |
| Raising of the flag of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) | Osaka Council, Scout Association of Japan |
| Entry of Flag Bearers from Participating Countries and Organizations | Special Version of Theme Song “Kono Hoshi no Tsuzuki wo” by KOBUKURO (Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Ambassadors) High school students from Osaka Prefecture |
| Greetings from the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition | Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition Chairperson TOKURA Masakazu |
| Welcome Address | Governor of Osaka Prefecture YOSHIMURA Hirofumi |
| Performance Programme Ⅲ “Matsuri” | Awich Sousakugeidan Requios KODO ONOE Kikunosuke NAKAMURA Hayato NAKAMURA Kangyoku Nagauta shamisen players, taiko drummers and flute players Tsugaru shamisen players SISTERLY Mori Calliope |
| Address by Honorary Chairperson of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan | Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru |
| Congratulatory Address | Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Dimitri KERKENTZES |
| Congratulatory Address | Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Dimitri KERKENTZES |
| Address | His Majesty the Emperor of Japan |
| Opening Action | Honorary President of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Akishino |
| Symphonic Fanfare | Japan Ground Self-Defence Force Band High school students from Osaka Prefectural School Brass Band Club |
| Performance Programme Ⅳ Expo Parade “Parade of Global Harmony” | Kureha Elementary School Brass Band Club avantgardey Unabara Yasuyo Tomoco ATARASHII GAKKO! |
| Performance Programme Ⅴ “Physical Twin Symphony” | imase MAINAMIND |
▽ Creative Team
EXPO Events Producer: KOHASHI Kenji
Creative Director: NASHIMOTO Takeatsu
Stage Designer : YOKO SEYAMA
・Performance Programme Ⅰ “Relay of Life”
Video Director: HIRAMAKI Kazuhiko
Music: HASEGAWA Hakushi
・Performance Programme Ⅱ “Kodō(Heartbeat)”
Choreography: Noriko Suezawa
Composer and Music Director: IMAI Yu
Video Director: TAKCOM / inbetween / Triple Additional / KAWANAKA Haruki
Costume Director: SAQULAI,Inc
Hair and Makeup Director: KERA Hirofumi (Shiseido)
・Festival Fanfare “Sora to Mirai to Part 3 ‘Matsuri to Sora to’” Short ver.
Conductor: SADO Yutaka (Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Ambassador)
Music Composer and Arrangement: OTOMO Yoshihide / ETO Naoko / KATO Michiaki / OGIHARA Kazune
・Performance Programme Ⅲ “Matsuri”
Kabuki Supervisor and Choreography: ONOE Kikunojo
Chorography: SIS (SAKRA&CHINATSU)
Music Composer and Director: Ovall, IMAI Yu
Japanese Music Supervisor: TOSHA Suiho
Video Director: INABA Hideki / TAKCOM / Citro / WACHAJACK / HEADS
Costume Supervisor: SAITO Hirosumi
Hair and Makeup Director: KERA Hirofumi (Shiseido)
・Symphonic Fanfare
Music Composer and Director: NAKAYAMA Kosuke
・Performance Programme Ⅳ Expo Parade “Parade of Global Harmony”
Chorography: akane
Music Composer and Director: youth case, SASAKI Hiroshi
Video Director: MAKINO Atsushi
Costume Supervision: SAITO Hirosumi and AIZAWA Itsuki
・Performance Programme Ⅴ “Physical Twin Symphony”
Creative Director: ITO Imagine
Chorography: suzuyaka
Music Composer and Director: KONISHI Ryo
Physical Twin Symphony Theme song “Version” Composed by imase / Arranged by KONISHI Ryo
Costume Supervisor: KONISHI Sho
Hair and Makeup Director: KERA Hirofumi (Shiseido)
(For Reference)
・Outline of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Opening Ceremony National Live Broadcasts, Theme, and some Performers Announced (Press Release, 13 February 2025)
(https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/news/news-20250213-06/)
・Details of the Proceedings of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Opening Ceremony Unveiled (Press Release, 9 April 2025)
(https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/news/news-20250409-03/)
Enquiries
Global Communication Department, Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition
Email: globalpr@expo2025.or.jp