Happy New Year!

This new year brings the year of the Expo. The theme of the 1970 Osaka Expo, often cited as a comparison, was “Progress and Harmony for Mankind,” with its goals the utilization of nature and improvement of living standards. That Expo, centered around material consumption symbolized by the “Three Sacred Treasures" (consumer electronics like televisions, washing machines, and refrigerators), can be seen as an extension of the 1851 London Expo—known as the Crystal Palace Exhibition—whose theme was essentially showcasing advances in iron and glass technologies.

The theme of the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo is “Designing Future Societies for Our Lives.” Its sub-themes, given on the official website, are “Saving Lives,” “Empowering Lives,” and “Connecting Lives,” all with various pavilions designed accordingly. The shift from focusing on materialism to addressing more meaningful aspects of life reflects the evolution of world expos.

Unfortunately, compared to the region’s previous Expo, many people today show little interest in the event. If you look at it merely as entertainment, this indifference may be understandable, but when you consider that it is a government-funded event, such an attitude is unacceptable to voters. If we think of it as a festival, it can be an inclusive, creative activity involving everyone, as has been the tradition since ancient times. It’s worth pondering which perspective benefits us more. Furthermore, just focusing on exhibits related to the theme would be a missed opportunity. For instance, the standardization of components—an inconspicuous exhibit at the London Expo—led to mass production, while spectator services at the Osaka Expo sparked the nationwide spread of fast-food restaurants. These unexpected innovations eventually shaped the future, and gaining such insight is another key role of world expos.

At the “Signature Pavilion: Future of Life” at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, a concept for an “Avatar Symbiotic Society” is being developed under the leadership of Special Research Director Hiroshi Ishiguro, with the aim of facilitating and expanding social life through avatars. I encourage ATR staff to visit this exhibit and actively share its vision. Additionally, inspired by this Expo, a satellite event called the “Keihanna Expo” is being planned, primarily involving the citizens of Keihanna Science City. I feel its purpose is to inspire the next generation of children by showcasing not just the exhibits themselves but our citizens’ role in creating them. If people filled with curiosity can gather, interact, and engage in creative activities, our future beyond the singularity will be bright.

Pundits often cite declining birth rates and aging population as a societal issue, but the true problem lies squarely in declining birth rates, since extended aging itself has been a goal of humanity since the dawn of history. If declining birth rates could be mitigated through the active participation of long-lived citizens, it would be both economically as well as personally meaningful. The Osaka-Kansai Expo’s goal of “Lives that Shine” is especially timely when we consider the current situation in Japan, where people often spend the last 10–20 years of their hundred-year lives in silent inactivity. Achieving this vision should be the legacy of this new Expo, and I believe it is a goal that must be promoted company-wide.

Thank you for your continued support of ATR.