Japan pavilion. Photo: Provided by METI
World Expos have always been more than mere exhibitions—they are time machines offering glimpses into the societies we may inhabit in 20, 30 or 40 years. From the elevator unveiled at the 1853 Expo in New York, to the washing machine showcased in 1862 in London and the typewriter featured in Philadelphia in 1876, many once-futuristic inventions that debuted at past Expos have become staples of our daily lives. Japan’s own 1970 Osaka Expo introduced concepts like mobile phones and conveyor-belt sushi, technologies that have become everyday features of the modern world.
Today at Expo 2025 in Osaka, that tradition continues. This gathering of 158 countries and regions, along with seven international organizations, explores bold visions for a sustainable future. Take space exploration, for example. The U.S. Pavilion re-introduces the famed moon rock that captivated visitors the last time an Expo was held in Osaka, in 1970, the year after the Apollo 11 mission successfully landed humans on the Moon.
In 2025, the rock will make visitors think of the Artemis Program, a bold multinational initiative to establish a lunar base and eventually send humans to Mars. Japan’s Pavilion offers a related celestial treasure: a rare Mars rock, symbolizing the next step in space exploration. These celestial specimens symbolize humankind’s growing ambition to reach beyond Earth yet also ground us in essential questions about the origins of life and our planetary responsibilities.
Japan, as the host nation, is using this opportunity to lead a global conversation about sustainability and a circular society. The Japan Pavilion, built using domestically sourced cedar with its circular structure, embodies the cycle of life. It features a functioning biogas plant, which demonstrates how food waste from the Expo can be decomposed by microorganisms and transformed into water and energy. Visitors don’t just see this cycle, they walk through it, becoming part of the story. The pavilion becomes a “living structure,” allowing people to experience firsthand how waste can become a source of power and continuity.
This vision is deeply rooted in Japanese tradition. For more than a millennium, Japan has embraced an aesthetic and cultural philosophy that values flexibility and renewal. A vivid example is Ise Jingu, one of Japan’s most sacred Shinto shrines. Every 20 years, the shrine is rebuilt in a centuries-old ritual known as shikinen sengu. The approach isn’t about creating unbreakable structures but about designing for continuity, where the old is passed on and reborn as the new. Materials are chosen not for their permanence but for their ability to be reused, repurposed, and reborn. This way, the sacred space remains perpetually fresh, untainted, and spiritually alive.
Expo 2025’s Japan Pavilion takes this philosophy forward by linking it with cutting-edge technology. One example is the use of hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria developed by chemical manufacturer Kaneka. These microorganisms consume carbon dioxide and transform it into biodegradable plastic—an innovative solution to both waste management and the environmental impact of traditional plastics. This technology embodies the Expo’s ethos: solving global challenges through circular innovation.
Yet it’s not just large corporations leading the charge. Expo 2025 also shines a spotlight on Japan’s vibrant network of startups, academic researchers, and regional enterprises. Their contributions prove that technological advancement is not confined to megacities or multinational firms. Take, for example, the Chitose Group, a Kawasaki-based unicorn startup that is revolutionizing bioenergy through algae. Algae, with its exceptional photosynthetic efficiency, is capable of absorbing CO₂ and converting it into organic matter, which can then be used as an energy source. The company envisions a “Photosynthesis Revolution”—a future where all industries are powered by solar energy, emulating the sustainable processes of nature.
Expo 2025 isn’t just a showcase—it’s a platform for collaboration. Alongside the physical exhibits, business-matching initiatives will connect Japan’s regional innovators with global stakeholders. This cross-border exchange may plant the seeds for new partnerships, helping Japan’s local technologies scale internationally.
Ultimately, the power of Expo 2025 lies in its collective vision. It brings together energy and innovation from around the globe and every corner of Japan—from academic labs and startup hubs to long-standing spiritual practices. These diverse contributions reflect a core promise of the Expo: that a more sustainable future is co-created by a wide array of actors, each bringing their own values, traditions, and ingenuity to the table.
In experiencing the Expo, we do more than marvel at futuristic prototypes. We witness a convergence of ideas—ancient and modern, local and global—all aimed at designing a better, more circular society that embraces all forms of life. And in that convergence, we find inspiration for the kinds of futures we want to build for ourselves and the generations to come.