Expo 2025 invites the world to dream big in Osaka

World Expo 2025 opened its doors in Osaka this weekend, with more than 160 countries taking part and 28 million visitors expected over the next six months.

It’s been 55 years since the event was last hosted in Osaka, and the city has pulled out all the stops for its second Expo, despite concerns over late-running preparations. One of Expo’s key symbols is The Grand Ring, recently recognised by the Guinness World Records as ‘the largest wooden architectural structure’, and the main route visitors will take around the Expo site.

Expo 2025’s overriding theme – ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives’ – is being showcased through three interconnected pillars: “Saving Lives” (healthcare innovations and longevity), “Empowering Lives” (human potential), and “Connecting Lives” (technological and cultural bridges between communities).

Major exhibits at the Expo – housed within various countries’ pavilions, and encircled by the Ring include the Philippines Pavilion, themed around ‘Nature, Culture & Community – Woven Together for a Better Future. It highlights the destination’s rich heritage, biodiversity, and creativity, with a particular focus on handwoven textiles. The experience includes an immersive journey through a forest of woven artworks, featuring artificial intelligence, while elements of sustainability are embedded in the Pavilion’s circular design, made out of indigenous materials.

With a facade made out of bamboo, the Malaysia Pavilion has several areas showcasing humans’ interactions with technology and nature, highlighting Malaysia's commitment to sustainable living and use of sustainable resources. A vibrant food display served in a night market setting aims to bring the destination’s culture and vibrancy to life. There’s also a section exploring Malaysia’s ambitious initiatives to transform urban landscapes into Smart Cities.

The Korea Pavilion features three exhibition halls focused on music, art and technology: the first features a light and sound show with AI turning different languages into music; the second is a space powered by green technology; while the third uses the latest cinema technology to bring to life a Korean society of the future.

If you’re chasing dreams, head to the Singapore Pavilion, also known as The Dream Sphere. In celebration of Singapore’s 60th birthday taking place this August, 60 dreams contributed by diverse communities who call Singapore home have been printed on the red discs covering the Dream Sphere’s façade. Inside, visitors can enjoy ‘Magic Hour’ every night, a light and art installation curated by Singaporean artists.

The Thailand Pavilion focuses on medical healthcare and wellness, with an exhibition themed around ‘immunity’, exploring health institutions, healthy foods and healthcare products.

Cutting-edge medicine will also be prominent at the Expo, with a display featuring a beating lab-grown heart made from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells expected to be one of the event’s main draws.