Designing tomorrow's society: A close look at Expo 2025 Osaka

Following the success of Expo 2020 Dubai, the baton has been passed on to Osaka, Japan for the eagerly anticipated Expo 2025. This global event, themed Designing Future Society for Our Lives, aspires to unite nations and organisations in crafting a sustainable society that aligns with individual aspirations. STIR gets a sneak peek of the masterplan that lays the foundation for this global event. 

Situated on the artificial Yumeshima island along Osaka's waterfront, Expo 2025 Osaka promises attendees a breathtaking view of the Seto Inland Sea. Spanning 1.55 sq kms, the venue will feature a central pavilion surrounded by water to the south and lush green landscapes to the west. Anticipating an impressive turnout of around 28.2 million visitors, Expo 2025 Osaka aims to welcome over 150 nations and 25 international organisations.

Set to take place between April 13 and October 13, 2025, Expo 2025's central mission is to facilitate worldwide cooperation, inspiring nations to jointly shape a sustainable society that resonates with individual aspirations for a better life. Formulated during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Masterplan was presented by Expo 2025’s site design producer and Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto. It lays the groundwork for the core initiatives in Kansai, Japan, and encompasses the essential projects and the underlying strategies guiding the Expo 2025 Osaka.

The expo's central theme 'life', is expanded through three subthemes: Saving Lives, Empowering Lives, and Connecting Lives. These subthemes delve into the concept of life in terms of individual existence to its broader context within nature and diverse creations. The cultural perspective of the Japanese embraces the inherent life in all things, even inanimate objects.

The first subtheme, 'Saving Lives', prioritises the protection of life. This involves measures against infectious diseases, public health improvements, disaster preparedness, and harmonious coexistence with nature.

'Empowering Lives' aims to enhance individuals' lives and potentials. This includes advanced remote education, healthy lifestyles through exercise and proper diet, and optimisation of human capabilities through artificial intelligenceand robotics.

The third subtheme, 'Connecting Lives', emphasises engagement, community building, and societal enrichment. This entails partnership and co-creation, improved communication, and the design of a data-driven society.

The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition has organised eight thematic projects that embody the Expo's theme of 'Designing Future Society for Our Lives.' These projects range from recognising humanity as integral component of the entire life system to envisioning a collaborative space where people can improve their lives through various activities.

The 'Quest of Life' project aims to recognise humanity as an integral component of the entire life system. The 'Cycle of Lives' project focuses on the significance of eating as a bridge between nature, culture, and people, reflecting the underlying gratitude in Japanese food culture. By combining natural and artificial elements, the 'Forging Lives' project explores the harmony of art with nature and envisions a safe future.

In the 'Totality of Life' project, visitors will experience a connection between all life forms in various environments, promoting the protection and nurturing of these diverse forms of life. The 'Amplification of Lives' project seeks to expand human and organism functions and capabilities using novel science and technology, uncovering new possibilities for life.

The 'Resonance of Lives' project aims to propose a model that allows visitors to experience the resonance between different life forms. The 'Embracing Lives' project envisions a future where diverse lives are safeguarded by recognising others within oneself, aiming to prevent divisions among humanity during crises. Lastly, the 'Invigorating Lives' project will establish a collaborative space where people can improve their lives through activities like play, learning, sports, and art, promoting joy and engagement.

Expo 2025 Osaka will feature a diverse array of events, including theatre performances, plaza activities, illumination and projection showcases, and hands-on experiences. Theatre events encompass music, drama, performing arts, futuristic entertainment, and thematic discussions held in various event spaces of different sizes.

Plaza events involve music performances, video screenings, parades, and artistic presentations. These events will be held outdoors in event plazas or on small stages within these plazas at the Expo site. The organiser's plaza events will span the entire Expo duration, while those managed by related organisations will take turns.

Illumination & Projection events, exclusively organised by the Expo's Organiser, will employ light and imagery projected onto water facilities at the site. These events aim to promote inclusivity by implementing measures that enable a wide range of artists and creators to participate. Hands-on Events centred around industrial technology, art, traditional culture, and more will take place in venues such as the exhibition space, gallery, and garden.

The Expo embodies the concept of unity in diversity, embracing the current era's richness of cultures while cautioning against potential division. By uniting diverse cultures and lifestyles, the Expo venue aims to transcend this divide, celebrating global diversity and fostering connections. Its design combines the principles of decentralisation and dispersion with a focus on connecting diverse individuals.

Symbolised by the concept of 'one sky,' shared by all, Expo 2025 Osaka’s venue seeks to create a sense of unity. Located on Yumeshima Island, it includes an enclosed sea, mirroring the sky and inviting visitors' gazes. Diverse pavilions and natural elements are thoughtfully spread throughout the site, connected by a main flow that forms a loop, offering clarity and diverse viewpoints. Various plazas along this path will host lively events, contributing to the overall experience.

Taking into account ground conditions and various factors, the site for the Expo will be divided into three unique zones: Pavilion World, Water World, and Green World. Pavilion World features an expansive 60,000 sqm timber green roof structure which will host vibrant pavilions and amenities, allowing visitors to appreciate diverse perspectives. Water World will provide a serene atmosphere with waterscapes, waterfront dining facilities, and aquatic events. Positioned towards the western sea, Green World encompasses an open green expanse furnished with outdoor event amenities, a transportation hub, and an entry plaza.

Expo 2025 Osaka aspires to provide "the world with an opportunity to come together in one place at this time to explore the theme of life.” It aims to facilitate cross-cultural exchanges among individuals with varied perspectives from across the globe, fostering fresh human connections and innovative undertakings.

(Text by Irene Joseph Chiramel, intern at STIR)