The Osaka World Expo 2025 saw a record 25 million visitors during its six-month run, setting new attendance and sales records.
OSAKA: The Osaka World Expo has officially concluded after an impressive six-month run, drawing more than 25 million visitors, according to organisers. The event, held in the Japanese port city, surpassed expectations and beat the 2005 Expo in Aichi Prefecture, which welcomed 22.05 million attendees.
The six-month celebration of innovation, sustainability, and cultural exchange hosted 158 participating countries and regions. It became a massive crowd-puller in its final weeks, with daily attendance peaking above 200,000, driven by viral social media buzz and word of mouth.
A total of 22.07 million tickets were sold, and organisers reported a boom in merchandise sales. Plush toys of the popular mascot Myaku-Myaku were among the top-selling items, contributing to approximately 80 billion yen ($525 million) in merchandise revenue. The organisers are projecting an operational surplus of around 28 billion yen.
The grand closing ceremony included the symbolic handover of the Bureau International des Expositions flag to Saudi Arabia, which will host the next World Expo in 2030. This move marks the continuation of global cultural collaboration and innovation through future world expositions.
The Osaka World Expo 2025 not only delivered remarkable visitor numbers but also boosted Japan’s tourism economy and global profile. Its success has set a high benchmark for future expos.
