Business Oct 5, 2021
Japanese startup SkyDrive aims for flying taxi service at 2025 World Expo
Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura said recently he wants flying cars to begin carrying passengers in the Osaka Bay area in 2024.
National Dec 11, 2018
Osaka officials kick off preparations for 2025 World Expo
by Eric Johnston
Within weeks of being awarded the event, Osaka leaders on Tuesday kicked off preparations for the 2025 World Expo. A formal prefectural headquarters to plan and prepare for the event was opened the same day by Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui. The office will coordinate with ...
National Jun 14, 2018
Osaka makes final pitch to host 2025 World Expo
by Eric Johnston
Osaka made its final pitch Wednesday in Paris to host the 2025 World Expo, emphasizing the Kansai region's history as a center of Nobel-prize winning scientific research and telling expo delegates that the central government is willing to spend ¥24 billion to ensure 100 ...
National Apr 26, 2018
Osaka governor says casino resort could open by fiscal 2023
by Eric Johnston
Despite a tight construction schedule, political problems in Tokyo and local concerns over funding, Osaka Gov. Ichiro Matsui said the prefecture could have one of Japan's first casino resorts up and running on an island in Osaka Bay nearly two years before it hopes ...
National Mar 19, 2018
Refurbished 'Tower of the Sun,' symbol of Osaka world's fair, reopens to crowds
The refurbished interior of the "Tower of the Sun" was opened to the public on Monday for the first time since the major artwork by the late Taro Okamoto became a symbol of the Expo '70 world's fair in Osaka. The 70-meter-tall white tower with ...
National | KANSAI PERSPECTIVE Dec 24, 2017
Expo, casinos and shinkansen at top of Kansai's 2018 agenda
by Eric Johnston
For Kansai, many of 2017's events will remain newsworthy in 2018. Here are some of the bigger topics expected to be closely followed in the region.
National Dec 8, 2017
Osaka regales top World Expo official, but concerns linger over hosting 2025 event
by Eric Johnston
In an attempted display of local enthusiasm for the 2025 World Expo, Osaka rolled out the red carpet this week for a senior official from the organization that will decide next November who will host the event. But with the central government focused on ensuring ...
National Nov 28, 2017
Hello Kitty and Pikachu recruited to back Osaka's bid to host the 2025 World Expo
Hello Kitty and Pikachu have been enlisted to give Osaka a boost in its efforts to host the 2025 World Exposition. "I would like for you to represent Japan and proactively (promote) the attraction of Osaka inside and outside of the country," Foreign Minister Taro ...
National | KANSAI PERSPECTIVE Nov 26, 2017
In pitching 2025 Expo bid, Osaka must sell itself over Paris, and Africa may hold the key
by Eric Johnston
Imagine you're in Osaka in 2025. After arriving, you're welcomed by people on the streets, where you stop by a takoyaki vendor for a quick octopus dumpling snack before heading out to see the sights. Walking around Osaka, you'll feel safe in the presence ...
National Sep 26, 2017
The government on Monday submitted a bid for Osaka to host the 2025 world exposition to the Bureau International des Expositions in Paris. The bid presents a new model for the event by proposing the use of technologies including virtual reality and artificial intelligence. The ...
National Jul 27, 2017
Osaka lays the groundwork in ambitious plan to host both expo and casino resort
by Eric Johnston
As the government finalizes the basic guidelines for casino operations, Osaka is pushing forward with a separate but related plan to host the 2025 World Expo — if Japan's bid beats out the competition — at the new integrated gambling resort envisioned in Osaka ...
National Oct 12, 2015
A campaign began at the Japan Pavilion of the food-themed world expo in Italy on Sunday to demonstrate to visitors that food from Fukushima Prefecture is safe despite a nuclear disaster there in 2011. During the four-day campaign which ends Wednesday, samples of local foods, ...