　Dubai Expo Closed, BIE Flag Passed From Dubai to Osaka, Kansai | Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Official Website

2022.06.10

Dubai Expo

　Dubai Expo Closed, BIE Flag Passed From Dubai to Osaka, Kansai

Flag passing at the closing ceremony on March 31, 2022

The Dubai Expo concluded on March 31, 2022 when the successful half-year session was closed. At the closing ceremony, the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) flag was returned from the UAE, Dubai to the BIE Secretariat and handed over from the BIE Secretariat to Japan, Osaka, Kansai.

The BIE flag was handed over by the BIE secretariat to WAKAMIYA Kenji, the Minister for the World Expo 2025.

From the left: MATSUI Ichiro, Mayor of Osaka; YOSHIMURA Hirofumi, Governor of Osaka Prefecture; WAKAMIYA Kenji, Minister for the World Expo 2025; and ICHINOKI Manatsu, Deputy Secretary General of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition.

■　BIE Day Ceremony on March 30
At the ceremony on BIE Day held on March 30, the day before closing day, a performance was held to convey the charm of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. A freestyle football performance was presented with a modern interpretation of the Kemari culture that began in the Heian period (794-1185/1192). “LA CLASSIC,” who performed their top-class freestyle football with a gorgeous dance, Japanese background music, and synchronized ball movements, attracted spectators’ attention and energized the venue.

Freestyle football performance by “LA CLASSIC”

■ Japan Pavilion won the “Gold Award” in the exhibition design category
At the evening BIE Day Awards ceremony, during the “Official Participant Awards” hosted by the BIE and Expo 2020 Dubai, the Japan Pavilion was bestowed the “Gold Award” in the exhibition design category of the large-scale pavilion class. Following the Expo 2015 Milan, this is the first time in history that the same country won the awards of the Registered Expo twice consecutively.
In addition, live performances at the venue promoted Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. One performance of sound and calligraphy was performed by a calligrapher and performers of small drums and shakuhachi, and another a wadaiko (Japanese traditional drums) performance by group members from Japan and the UAE.

From the left: ANDO Isao, Director of the Japan Pavilion; WAKAMIYA Kenji, Minister for the World Expo 2025; NAKAMURA Tomiyasu, Commissioner General of the Japanese Section

“Japan Pavilion” bestowed “Gold Award” in the exhibition design category of the large-scale pavilion class

■PR of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan at the Japan Pavilion
During the Dubai Expo, the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition held an exhibition on the 1st floor of the Japan Pavilion to convey the outline and charm of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. The “Yumeshima Site Model Area,” “Large Screen Area,” “Kansai Area PR Space,” and “Message Input Area” were set up in a space of approximately 150 m2. These areas encouraged not only visitors to the Japan Pavilion but also representatives from each country and international organizations to actively participate in the Expo.
In addition, the “Original Cloth Masks” and “Folded Paper Cranes” were made as part of the activities of the “TEAM EXPO 2025” program. These were given as a small gift to visitors who dropped in at the PR booth of Expo 2025 in conjunction with Japan’s National Day “Japan Day” held on December 11, 2021.
There were positive responses such an email that was sent from a 10-year-old girl to the members of the “TEAM EXPO 2025” program saying that her father, who visited the Japan Pavilion, brought back a folded paper crane as a souvenir. She said she was impressed being exposed to Japanese culture.

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