The year 2020 ends with expectations that 2021 will see a safe vaccine that brings COVID-19 under control, especially, Tokyo hopes, before the scheduled Olympics and Paralympics in the summer. In the Kansai region, however, next year will be spent on economic recovery measures and making plans for a post-coronavirus world.
In Osaka, all eyes are turning toward the 2025 World Exposition. But the excitement supporters felt following Osaka’s selection as host back in 2018 has given way to anxiety and concern.
Original plans to promote Osaka at this year’s expo in Dubai were scuttled after it was postponed to next year. The Dubai Expo will not wrap up until March 2022, giving countries only three years to decide their 2025 plans. While the world’s economy is predicted to be on the road to recovery by 2022, it’s uncertain how much money countries will want to fork out for large, flashy exhibitions in 2025.