TOKYO — As the city of Osaka continues its recovery from a devastating earthquake, a story of remarkable resilience and innovation unfolds, largely unnoticed by the international community. Recently, Nobuyuki Baba, the leader of Japan’s second-largest opposition group, held a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan in Tokyo to brief the media on the upcoming Osaka 2025 Kansai Japan Expo.
Despite the challenges posed by the natural disaster, the Osaka government and the Japan Innovation Party are steadfastly advancing the preparations for the 2025 World Expo, a testament to the city’s unwavering commitment to progress and technological advancement.
Baba emphasizes the dual importance of rebuilding the earthquake-hit Noto region and hosting the World Expo. Against a backdrop of skepticism and financial concerns, Baba defends the Expo as a high-priority investment, not just a cost.
The latest budget for the Expo, standing at a staggering 235 billion Yen (around $1.6 billion), has ignited debate over its necessity, especially in light of the recent calamity. However, Baba argues that the event is an invaluable opportunity to showcase emerging technologies, potentially sparking numerous business opportunities and aiding in the economic recovery of the quake-affected Hokuriku region, closely tied to Osaka. He sees Expo as a source to overcome the Prefecture’s economic challenges.
Yet, Hinza Asif, CEO of NFTStudio24 and President of the Asia Web3 Alliance Japan, an association dedicated to helping foreign entrepreneurs and companies to collaborate and expand their business in Japan, raised a crucial point during the press conference.
Asif asked on the Party’s efforts to bring global investment and startups from the Web3 sector to Japan. Baba agreed saying “One of the biggest realities of Japan is the delay when it comes to broader implementation of overall technology like Blockchain.” He shared that the government is progressively working on integrating IT and emerging technologies at Expo 2025 such as the utilization of level 4 automated vehicles and buses.
Osaka Expo 2025 To Integrate Cashless Payment Systems and NFTs
Baba also announced that Osaka Expo 2025 will be completely implementing Cashless payments systems and NFTs for the first time.
He shared that more detailed content about the IT-related projects will be announced in the Fall of this year.
Asif underscored that the impressive efforts of the Osaka government and the Japan Innovation Party are not receiving the global attention they deserve.
She highlighted the need for increased media coverage on the progress of the Osaka Expo 2025, particularly in the IT and fintech sectors, to attract global tourists and investors.
Amidst the ongoing recovery efforts, the Osaka government is not only rebuilding the city but also ambitiously integrating digital payment systems and NFTs into the Expo 2025 infrastructure. This revolutionary step towards digitizing real-world applications and fostering Web3 adoption is groundbreaking. However, as Asif points out, this ‘Silent Work’ remains largely unknown due to insufficient media presence and advertising.
The Osaka 2025 Kansai Japan Expo is shaping up to be a landmark event, merging recovery with innovation. But for it to achieve its full potential and global impact, the need for prominent media visibility is imperative. Whether it’s to attract domestic or international tourists, the world needs to know about Osaka’s journey from recovery to revolution, and the Expo’s role in shaping the future of technology and economic resurgence.
This untold story of Osaka’s resilience and forward-thinking approach serves as an inspiring example of how a city can turn adversity into opportunity, setting a global standard for innovation in the wake of challenges. As the world’s eyes turn towards the upcoming Expo, it’s time for the media to shed light on this silent revolution happening in the heart of Osaka.
