Jamaica to Participate in Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan

Jamaica will be among more than 160 countries participating in Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.

The event is slated for April 13 to October 13, 2025 in Osaka, Japan, under the theme ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives’.

Dubbed the ‘Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Expo’, the event will promote the implementation of the United Nations (UN) SDGs by inviting the international community to connect and unite for a sustainable future, five years before the 2030 target year for achieving the programmed goals.

Jamaica’s participation was formalised during the 2024 International Participants Meeting in Japan from June 25 to 27, where the official contract was signed by Maureen Smith, who has been appointed Commissioner General of Section for Jamaica’s Pavilion.

Mrs. Smith, a Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) official, tells JIS News that participating in the World Expos is always a strategic undertaking and that, for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, the island’s participation takes on multiple layers of importance.

“Expo 2025 will provide a great opportunity for Jamaica to continue to promote the best of Jamaican business, sport, tourism, investment opportunities, innovation, exports, gastronomy, music and culture to a highly influential global audience,” she says.

“Jamaica will also be able to demonstrate our commitment to achieving the SDGs and enhance bilateral relations with the host country, Japan, on the heels of our 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2024,” Mrs. Smith adds.

The organisers have also identified three sub-themes – ‘Connecting Lives’, ‘Empowering Lives’ and ‘Saving Lives’ – that will allow participants to interpret the central theme.

Jamaica will exhibit under the ‘Connecting Lives’ sub-theme, with a focus on SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Mrs. Smith further informs that the country’s pavillion title will be ‘Out of Many, One People: Let’s Link Up’ – which calls for increased synergies and partnerships to achieve the SDGs as a global community.

“When Jamaicans link up, it is all about connecting with people, exchanging ideas and bringing good vibes. We, therefore, want to bring that energy to the Expo, and are encouraging visitors to link up in Osaka as we share ideas towards designing a future society that we can all be proud of,” Mrs. Smith explains.

She points out that there are high expectations of Jamaica’s participation in the Expo, both locally and in Japan.

Mrs. Smith notes that the Jamaican stakeholders are looking forward to leveraging the visibility afforded by the event as, already, the Japanese population and Expo participants are familiar with Brand Jamaica, particularly the legacy of Bob Marley and Usain Bolt.

“They may not even speak English, but they feel already connected with us just from knowing our athletes, musicians, culture and food. It’s so heart-warming, and we anticipate that our Pavillion will be a success at the upcoming Expo,” she adds.

Meanwhile, Jamaica’s Ambassador to Japan, Her Excellency Shorna-Kay Richards, welcomes the opportunity for increased diaspora engagement that the Expo will generate for the island.

She notes that the majority of diasporans in Japan work as Assistant Language Teachers, adding that next year will mark 25 years since Jamaicans in Japan have been providing educational services.

“Several more are entrepreneurs, particularly in the culinary space, and others work in the music, sport and culture sectors. Through their professional and personal endeavours, the diaspora has been demonstrating the real meaning of ‘Connecting Lives’, as they enrich the Jamaica-Japan partnership. The Jamaican Government will have a unique opportunity for collaboration with the diaspora as we continue to amplify their role in our national development,” Ambassador Richards says.

Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan is expected to attract 28 million visitors, including 3.5 million international attendees.

Jamaica previously participated in Expo 2020 Dubai, which was held from October 2021 to March 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The World Expo is one of the oldest and largest international events, held every five years since 1851.

It is a global platform for achievement, innovation, collaboration and cooperation.