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April 11, 2017 Mr. Vicente Gonzalez Loscertales, Secretary General Bureau International des Expositions
Dear Secretary General, It is my honor to inform you that, under the Convention Relating to
large number of international research institutes and companies in the
International Exhibitions, the Government of Japan is officially submitting
field of health and life sciences, whose endeavors mesh with the theme
to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) its application to host
of our Expo. The venue, Yumeshima, which means “Dream Island”, is
the International Registered Exhibition in 2025 based on the decision
located about 10 km away from the city center of Osaka, so the existing
made by the Japanese Cabinet on April 11. Our exhibition will be held for six months from May 3 to November 3
urban functions also easily accessible. In addition, a scheme to extend the Metro line to the venue and to widen the roads in the vicinity is
at Yumeshima Island in Osaka Prefecture in the Kansai region, under
already at the planning stage. Moreover, accessing Yumeshima by sea
the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives” in English and
can be easily arranged as it is an artificial island.
”Concevoir la Société du Futur, Imaginer notre Vie de Demain” in French.
Last December, the Government of Japan organized an Inter-Ministerial
Japan has valuable experience in that we successfully held the first
Meeting to supervise the bid for Expo 2025, and we are pleased to report
International Exhibition in Asia in the same prefecture, Osaka, in 1970
that all branches of the Government are working together to this end.
under the theme “Progress and Harmony for Mankind”. Almost half
On March 27, the 2025 Japan World Expo Committee was established,
a century has passed since then, and although numerous people around the world have come to enjoy prosperous lives, we continue
mainly by the business community and local governments in the Kansai
to face an array of threats including natural disasters, food shortages,
Business Federation), was appointed as its President. Japan is now
diseases and violence, while critical trends such as globalization and
ready and eager to host this event in 2025.
progress in information technology have brought with them their own
It is particularly noteworthy that Japan is one of the safest countries in
challenges. Meanwhile, there have been major advances in cutting-edge
the world, with an extremely low crime rate. In addition, we are always
technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology, which
perfectly prepared to ensure security for large-scale international events,
promise to have far-reaching effects on how we lead our lives. Now is the
as illustrated last year when the G7 Ise-Shima Summit proceeded without
time to inquire anew how each of us can lead happy and joyful lives and
incident. We will take whatever measures are necessary to ensure that all
how we can design the corresponding economic and social systems. In Japan, an appreciation of the importance of long-term and sustainable
visitors can participate in the Expo safely and securely. Should Japan be elected to host Expo 2025, a juridical body will be
benefits is deeply rooted. Osaka-Kansai region are cradles of the
established as the vehicle overseeing this venture. As a contracting state
spirit which respects businesses that satisfy both buyers and sellers
of the Convention Relating to International Exhibitions, the Government
and which also contribute to society. I am confident that Japan, and especially the Kansai region including Osaka, which have the spirit of
of Japan will do whatever is required to guarantee the fulfillment of the obligations of that body, in accordance with Article 10, paragraph 2 of
altruism, is the ideal setting to discuss what future society might be like if
the Convention.
selfish and inward-looking impulses among nations, regions, businesses
May I close by expressing my confidence that the bidding will be
and individuals could be overcome. Thus Japan is determined to host
implemented smoothly and that the vote will be held in a transparent
the International Exhibition in Osaka once again so that, along with our
manner under your esteemed leadership.
region, and Mr. Sadayuki Sakakibara, Chairman of Keidanren (the Japan
global partners, we can communicate to the world a truly inspiring vision of a future which is in our grasp.
Sincerely yours,
The Osaka-Kansai region has long been an important political, economic and cultural center. It also boasts a varied cultural heritage, including stunning historic buildings, a range of traditional performing arts and a huge variety of Washoku (Japanese-style cuisine), as well as five World Cultural Heritage sites. The region is also home to techno-parks with a
Shinzo Abe Prime Minister of Japan
The theme for the EXPO 2025 OSAKA is “Designing Future Society for
Half a century after the Expo 1970 Osaka welcomed 60 million visitors;
Our Lives.”
Osaka is once again aiming to host the World Expo.
At present, in Japan, the government and private sector are jointly
The Kansai region that includes Osaka has long been a hub of political,
promoting a national project called “Society 5.0.” “Society 5.0” is designed to realize a future, where people's lives and society are
economic, and cultural activities, and even now is overflowing with diverse values and energy, driven by the people’s enterprising spirit and
optimized by making full use of innovative technologies such as IoT, AI,
far-reaching outlook into the future, to continue to prosper.
robots, and Big Data. In addition, the area is blessed with various elements that support a full The future society we aim to realize is a society in which global problems
and healthy life: numerous historical architectures and world heritage
are solved. Global problems, including medical and healthcare, food
sites, a cutting-edge life sciences research community, a manufacturing
and agriculture, environment and climate change, energy and resources,
industry with highly-advanced production technology, an assortment of
safety and disaster prevention, human and gender equality.
gastronomy and sports-related experiences, and so on.
Such a society would be exactly the embodiment of a society, in which
In 2025, Osaka and Kansai will be an experimental lab of creation for
the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been
Designing Future Society for Our Lives. The new technology and services
achieved. We, Japan, wish to be a lead contributor in the efforts to
born here will be proposed and provided to countries around the world,
transform our world into the society in which all SDGs are fully achieved.
thereby contributing to the establishment of a sustainable society on a
By being the front runner in finding solutions to SDGs, we aim to achieve
global scale.
our own development as well as that of the whole world. We look forward to welcoming all of you with our advanced and EXPO 2025 OSAKA will not be a singular event, but the start of a movement. The Expo will be transformed into a People’s Living Lab, in
convenient transportation networks, world-class security, and spirit of hospitality.
which new ideas are freely exchanged and recognised from the moment Osaka is conferred the privilege of hosting, leading up to and beyond 2025. We believe that the EXPO 2025 OSAKA is the perfect occasion to share this vision of a future society with our fellow people from all over the world. I would like to emphasize that the Japanese government, business community, and the local community of Osaka are now working together, and are at full force to realize the EXPO 2025 OSAKA, KANSAI, JAPAN.
Ichiro Matsui President, 2025 Japan World Expo Committee Governor of Osaka Prefecture
Sadayuki Sakakibara Chairman, 2025 Japan World Expo Committee
Inspired by the emoji ideograms originating in Japan, the logo symbolises the concept that happy and smiling people are coming together from around the world and connecting with each other.
The Kansai Region
Osaka, Kansai Gifu Prefecture Tottori Prefecture
Gifu
Tottori Hyogo Prefecture
Chugoku region Okayama Prefecture
Okayama
Takamatsu
Tokushima Tokushima Prefecture
Chubu
Shikoku region
Kyoto
Nagoya
Otsu
Aichi Prefecture
Tsu Nara
Osaka Prefecture
Wakayama
Chubu region
Shiga Prefecture
Osaka
Yumeshima Island Kagawa Prefecture
Mie Prefecture
Nara Prefecture
Wakayama Prefecture
Kanto
Kansai region Kyushu
Kansai region Kobe
Hokkaido, Tohoku
Chugoku
Kyoto Prefecture
Yumeshima Island
Shikoku
Shin Osaka station
The proposed site for the World Expo 2025
Osaka station
Okinawa
Expo venue on Yumeshima Island
Sakurajima station
Bentencho station
Cosmo Square station
Tennoji station