I Went to the Expo Classroom in Kindai University! Seminar Event to Learn About Official Participants’ Pavilions

With less than 300 days to go until Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, things are getting even more exciting. Bits of information about the pavilions at the Expo site are being announced one after another, and we are hearing more and more particularly noteworthy information from Official Participants about their pavilions.
In line with this, events are being held at various locations to learn about the contents and themes of Official Participants’ pavilions. In this article, we bring you a report on the Expo Classroom in Kindai University event, in which two countries, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, participated. ♪

Expo Classroom in Kindai University to learn about Official Participants’ pavilions

The first Expo classroom was held at Kindai University, one of the largest general universities in western Japan, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025, the same year that the Expo will be held. It provided an opportunity to learn information about the Expo and the pavilions of each country in a seminar format, attracting students from Kindai University and general participants.

The keynote speech was delivered by Oussouby Sacko, Deputy Chairperson of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition , and the Official Participants’ pavilions were introduced by Marc Kuipers, Consul General for the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Carolyn Davidson, Consul General for the United Kingdom. They explained the challenges and initiatives of both countries and the themes of their pavilions using slideshows and videos. Characters from both countries, such as Miffy from the Netherlands and Paddington from the UK, appeared on the screen and made the audience feel at home.

Lecture by Mr. Marc Kuipers, Consul General for the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Speech by British Consul General Carolyn Davidson

What was most impressive was that both countries strongly emphasized the purpose of the Expo, which was to consider solutions to human issues together with people from all over the world. They also insisted that they wanted their countries’ culture, history, and efforts to solve problems to be known at the pavilions, and that many Japanese people and foreigners should visit the pavilions.

Unveiling of the multilingual simultaneous interpretation streaming system powered by AI technology!

The main speakers at this event were from overseas. In fact, a demonstration experiment of a multilingual simultaneous interpretation delivery system provided by TOPPAN Holdings was conducted!
This is a system in which AI automatically and simultaneously interprets the speakers’ speeches and displays subtitles on the venue screen and participants’ smartphones. Automatic translation is a cutting-edge and excellent technology!

English and Japanese subtitles are displayed at the top of the screen.

Translated subtitles are displayed on your smartphone when you scan the QR code.

Since the Expo Classroom lectures were almost entirely in English, this translation tool was very useful.
The service will be used during the Expo and is sure to be a great success.

Talk session and photo with MYAKU-MYAKU

After the introduction of the Official Participants’ pavilions, a talk session was held by Oussouby Sacko, Deputy Chairperson of the Exposition Association, and the Consuls General from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Talk session with Oussouby Sacko, Deputy Chairperson of the Association, and the Consuls General from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom

MYAKU-MYAKU, the official mascot of the also made an appearance toward the end of the seminar! In addition to photo sessions with the speakers, there was also a booth where seminar participants could take commemorative photos with MYAKU-MYAKU. MYAKU-MYAKU in motion was very cute and friendly. ♪

The Expo Classroom in Kindai University, where you can learn about the Expo and the participating countries, will continue to be held every two to three months. It is a rare opportunity to hear from foreign consuls general, and a rare chance to get a closer look at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan! We hope you will join us!

Events were also held with speakers from three countries hosting Official Participants’ pavilions

In addition to the Expo Classroom in Kindai University reported here, other events are being held to learn about Official Participants’ pavilions.
At the “Global Talk Event – Let’s Think About the SDGs ” held in Osaka on April 13, one year before the opening of the Expo, the Netherlands, Germany, and Australia presented the contents of their pavilions.

Lecture by Mr. Trevor Holloway, Australian Consul General in Osaka

The first collaboration between Frankie, the dinosaur character from the UNDP’s “Don’t Choose Extinction” climate campaign, and MYAKU-MYAKU, the official character of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, was also a highlight of the event.

The event can be viewed on YouTube. Please click here to watch.

Less than 300 days to Expo 2025! Expect more events in the future ♪

This time we mainly reported on the Expo Classroom in Kindai University, but there are many other events taking place, making it a lively time. In particular, the introduction of Official Participants’ pavilions was a rare opportunity to hear speeches by the pavilion managers of each official participant. Expectations for future participating countries are also high.
Let’s join in the excitement of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan by participating in the pre-events!
Kodawari Times will continue to provide information on the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, so please refer to us. ♪

Click the links below to learn more about Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.

⇒ Before Going to the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. What is the Expo? What does it do? When did it start?⇒ Visit grand roof ring under construction at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.⇒ [Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan] From Giant MYAKU-MYAKU to Wrapped Trains, Found in the City of Osaka!