Teruyo Narita

OSAKA: The Dubai Expo is currently being held in the United Arab Emirates, and Osaka, which will host the Osaka-Kansai Expo in 2025, is looking toward the other side of Asia to see how the Expo is going.

Dubai Expo has a Japan Pavilion and will host a Japan Day on December 11, and Arab News Japan talked to Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura about the two Expos.

Asked about the ability to host an expo in the current world climate, the governor said, “I would like to commend the Dubai government for implementing the Expo in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic. I would love to visit the [Dubai Expo] myself and hear the opinions of the local people about what kind of measures they have taken.”

“I wish the Dubai Expo a great success and hope we can take advantage of the Dubai Expo and link it to the Osaka Expo,” the Osaka Governor said.

Yoshimura was also asked about the impact of the Japan Pavilion and how it will help promote the Osaka-Kansai Expo.

“I think the popularity of the Japanese pavilion is due to various aspects of Japanese culture, charm, high technology, etc. The popularity shown by the world is a great encouragement for the Osaka-Kansai Expo in 2025. I want to ask people from around the world what they think will attract them.”

Japan Day will be a great opportunity to share the wonders of Japanese culture and other attractions, Yoshimura said. “Since the heads of expositions from various countries will be attending, I will visit Dubai Expo and extend an invitation to such countries to come to Japan.”