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Dec 17, 2024

Expo 2025 – excited or disinterested?

One of the biggest events for Japan next year is the 2025 Expo Osaka-Kansai. Do you have any interest in the event (planning to attend, etc.) or are you fairly disinterested? Curious to hear your thoughts!

genkidesu

genkidesu

Love to travel, interested in J-beauty products and consider myself a convenience store snack aficionado. Navigating the ever-present challenges of expat life, particularly about my TCK's (third culture kids).

7 Answers



Best Answer

  • TonetoEdo

    on Dec 21

    @genkidesu This! It makes no sense to fly in for a supposedly eco-friendly event. Sure, some of the structures will likely get reused somehow, but the carbon burden the event generates is antithetical to the SDGs... So many regions of Japan beyond big centers need tourism traffic and economic boosts. It would make more sense to distribute an expo in regional cities that need the PR and income.

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  • TonetoEdo

    on Dec 19

    The Lovecraftian horror mascot turned me off! Besides, it's a long way away from where I live. The ticket prices are reasonable for one day. If I'm out that way, I might consider a visit to see the UK and Canada pavilions that represent my nationalities. But they don't look that enticing...

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  • genkidesu

    on Dec 20

    @TonetoEdo It's interesting because I feel much the same way. When I was a young kid there was an Expo held in Brisbane, a city back home, and I can still remember the hype surrounding it even though I was a child. I don't feel like there's the same appeal these days, maybe it's because of globalization not making the Expo seem like an event with the wow factor it once had.

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  • TonetoEdo

    on Dec 20

    @genkidesu I share your feeling! I visited Vancouver's Expo 86 when global communications were not so easy and instant. What is the appeal of an expo these days?

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  • genkidesu

    on Dec 21

    @TonetoEdo there are some sustainability-themed things that are going to be at the event which I'm curious about, but the irony of it isn't lost on me -- promoting sustainability while flying in people from all around the world, building temporary structures (although some of them are meant to be eco-friendly), and so forth...seems a bit pointless.

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  • BigfamJapan

    on Dec 23

    @TonetoEdo that mascot! Hate is a strong word, but I really do hate it. It gives me the heebee-jeebies! As to your question, @genkidesu I was completely disinterested until just last week! I was talking to a friend back home and she was telling me all about the events back home in Ireland for the crew that are coming out here for 6 months for it and it actually piqued my interest!

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  • helloalissa

    on Jan 20

    I live super close to the site of the 1970 Expo in Suita, Osaka and occasionally go there for the affordable gardens and museums. Initially the idea of going to an Expo was exciting, especially considering Expos historically, plus I have never been to one before. I'm not hearing anything appealing (or positive) about this year's event. It's more of a huge tax burden on the city and terrible for the displaced water birds that nested at the building site.

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