OSAKA –

As the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka comes to a close on Oct. 13, the organizer is encouraging local governments and companies to reuse pavilion buildings and equipment including air conditioners and lighting.

This call aligns with one of the expo's central themes: caring for the environment and achieving a sustainable society.

In principle, pavilions and their equipment will be dismantled and removed after the six-month event concludes. Meanwhile, the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition launched a website in August 2024 to offer used materials and equipment.

Currently, more than 100 items are listed on the "Myaku-Ichi" website, including parts of pavilions produced by prominent figures. Successful bidders will be selected after discussions among related parties, including on how they will be reused.

The city of Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture, hopes to acquire "Playground of Life: Jellyfish Pavilion," a themed pavilion produced by musician Sachiko Nakajima.

The city plans to relocate the pavilion, which features a roof resembling a jellyfish, to a site next to a new facility for introducing children to cutting-edge science and technology. The new facility is scheduled to open in fiscal 2029.

"We decided to bid as the new facility is compatible with the jellyfish pavilion's philosophy of studying science, music and art in an interdisciplinary way, and from the standpoint of promoting reuse," a city official said.

The Osaka Prefectural Government is considering buying part of the toilet facility designed by a young architect under a ¥200 million ($1.36 million) contract that sparked public controversy.

Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura told a news conference Wednesday that the prefecture plans to relocate the facility to a botanical garden.

"It's a highly artistic and interesting toilet facility," Yoshimura said. "I hope people will enjoy it as a legacy of the expo."