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KONNICHIWA!
A newsletter from Oki Sato, general producer.
Updates from the Japan Pavilion, and his thoughts for the day.
New
Architecture
Opening Ceremony
The day is finally here!
It’s the opening ceremony for the Japan Pavilion!
No joke, these last four years were intense...
I can’t begin to thank everyone enough for all their help.
At times, like when waiting at a light, the sense of achievement seeing our hard work finally take shape is so strong that tears might suddenly stream down my face.
Now it’s the day of the opening ceremony for the pavilion.
There’s an explanation from the staff a few minutes before things begin.
“At this point, there will be a confetti ball ceremony.”
(Oh, man! Would you believe (why wouldn’t you?) that this is my first-ever confetti ball?)
“The confetti ball today will be rectangular instead of spherical.”
(Throwing a curve ball right off the bat. I would have liked my confetti ball debut to be as conventionally spherical as possible...)
“The string should be pulled horizontally instead of vertically.”
(Now we’re getting to the point where it’s hard to imagine things without being there... What do you mean “horizontally?”)
“Also, definitely do not pull the string.”
(What is this? Some kind of gag? Pull the string without pulling the string—this must be a riddle. Is this really even a confetti ball?)
“After that...”
(What—there’s more?)
“Giant bazooka-style confetti cannons will shoot out on the left and right. Please do not be startled by the huge sound emitted.”
(Your saying “Do not be startled”—you know that makes it even scarier, right!?)
Sure enough, the explosion was greater than anyone imagined. Here’s the photo to prove just how surprised everyone on stage was.
We are almost to the opening of Expo Osaka!
I can’t wait to see you all there!
Architecture
Double the Luck
Today was all about adjusting the exterior lighting of the Japan Pavilion.
Since the work had to be done after sunset, I took a later afternoon Shinkansen to Osaka.
I opened a paper box containing a katsu sandwich, only to notice the word “Omikuji” (fortune slip) printed on the side of the lid.
Curious, I checked — and to my surprise, it was “Daikichi” (great fortune)!
Now, I'm not usually one to care about horoscopes or fortunes, but hey, I couldn't complain about a little extra luck.
“Alright,” I thought, “Tonight's lighting adjustments are going to go perfectly!”
Then, just as I was feeling confident, I spotted some smaller text tucked away in the bottom left corner: “Today's Lucky Meat.”
Not a lucky color, not a lucky item… but meat?
Apparently, my lucky meat was loin.
So here I was, holding a box that literally contained breaded, fried, and sandwiched loin — proudly declaring itself to be my source of luck.
Architecture
Flowing Sphere of Light
The space that will host the “Flowing Sphere of Light,” which we had previously reviewed, is finally taking shape.
Since we assembled and tested the space once last year in a warehouse, it feels less like “Nice to meet you” and more like “Oh, we meet again.”
Once the scaffolding is removed, we'll begin the detailed adjustments for the light movements and sound effects.
No matter how much we do, there never seems to be enough time... Phew.
Architecture
Part of the “Japan Pavilion.”
The signage for the “Main Building” and “Annex”...
...well, actually, they're part of the “Japan Pavilion.”
Together with Mr. Irobe, we meticulously fine-tuned the text edges, lighting, and other details.
Next, at the Yumeshima site, we worked on the signage for “Building A,” “Building B,” and “Building C”...
...oh no, those are also part of the “Japan / 日本館.”
Here too, we carefully checked the text finish, thickness, and mounting methods by placing them directly against the exterior wall.
And finally... the signage has been beautifully installed!
(The illuminated one is still in progress.)
The wooden exterior is lightly finished to allow for easy reuse after the event.
With the sea breeze and sunlight, the color and texture are already beginning to change.
I can’t wait to see what kind of expression the Japan Pavilion will have by the time the event wraps up in October.
This gentle transformation over time perfectly reflects the Japan Pavilion's theme of “circulation.”
Architecture
The Site and Mockups Are Impressive and All, But...
Brrr, it’s chilly!
Too cold!!!
Architecture
“Grand Roof (Ring)”
Directly in front of the Japan Pavilion stands the iconic symbol of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai – the “Grand Roof (Ring)”! Its sheer enormity is awe-inspiring! Above all, it’s intensely intimidating!
I can’t shake off the imagery of “Wall Maria” from a certain beloved manga. Unfortunately, our Japan Pavilion finds itself positioned on the exterior of this colossal ring, almost like a predestined target for the titans.
Architecture
“Grand Roof (Ring)”
Directly in front of the Japan Pavilion stands the iconic symbol of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai – the “Grand Roof (Ring)”! Its sheer enormity is awe-inspiring! Above all, it’s intensely intimidating!
I can’t shake off the imagery of “Wall Maria” from a certain beloved manga. Unfortunately, our Japan Pavilion finds itself positioned on the exterior of this colossal ring, almost like a predestined target for the titans.
Architecture
The Site and Mockups Are Impressive and All, But...
Brrr, it’s chilly!
Too cold!!!
Architecture
Part of the “Japan Pavilion.”
The signage for the “Main Building” and “Annex”...
...well, actually, they're part of the “Japan Pavilion.”
Together with Mr. Irobe, we meticulously fine-tuned the text edges, lighting, and other details.
Next, at the Yumeshima site, we worked on the signage for “Building A,” “Building B,” and “Building C”...
...oh no, those are also part of the “Japan / 日本館.”
Here too, we carefully checked the text finish, thickness, and mounting methods by placing them directly against the exterior wall.
And finally... the signage has been beautifully installed!
(The illuminated one is still in progress.)
The wooden exterior is lightly finished to allow for easy reuse after the event.
With the sea breeze and sunlight, the color and texture are already beginning to change.
I can’t wait to see what kind of expression the Japan Pavilion will have by the time the event wraps up in October.
This gentle transformation over time perfectly reflects the Japan Pavilion's theme of “circulation.”
Architecture
Flowing Sphere of Light
The space that will host the “Flowing Sphere of Light,” which we had previously reviewed, is finally taking shape.
Since we assembled and tested the space once last year in a warehouse, it feels less like “Nice to meet you” and more like “Oh, we meet again.”
Once the scaffolding is removed, we'll begin the detailed adjustments for the light movements and sound effects.
No matter how much we do, there never seems to be enough time... Phew.
Architecture
Double the Luck
Today was all about adjusting the exterior lighting of the Japan Pavilion.
Since the work had to be done after sunset, I took a later afternoon Shinkansen to Osaka.
I opened a paper box containing a katsu sandwich, only to notice the word “Omikuji” (fortune slip) printed on the side of the lid.
Curious, I checked — and to my surprise, it was “Daikichi” (great fortune)!
Now, I'm not usually one to care about horoscopes or fortunes, but hey, I couldn't complain about a little extra luck.
“Alright,” I thought, “Tonight's lighting adjustments are going to go perfectly!”
Then, just as I was feeling confident, I spotted some smaller text tucked away in the bottom left corner: “Today's Lucky Meat.”
Not a lucky color, not a lucky item… but meat?
Apparently, my lucky meat was loin.
So here I was, holding a box that literally contained breaded, fried, and sandwiched loin — proudly declaring itself to be my source of luck.
New
Architecture
Opening Ceremony
The day is finally here!
It’s the opening ceremony for the Japan Pavilion!
No joke, these last four years were intense...
I can’t begin to thank everyone enough for all their help.
At times, like when waiting at a light, the sense of achievement seeing our hard work finally take shape is so strong that tears might suddenly stream down my face.
Now it’s the day of the opening ceremony for the pavilion.
There’s an explanation from the staff a few minutes before things begin.
“At this point, there will be a confetti ball ceremony.”
(Oh, man! Would you believe (why wouldn’t you?) that this is my first-ever confetti ball?)
“The confetti ball today will be rectangular instead of spherical.”
(Throwing a curve ball right off the bat. I would have liked my confetti ball debut to be as conventionally spherical as possible...)
“The string should be pulled horizontally instead of vertically.”
(Now we’re getting to the point where it’s hard to imagine things without being there... What do you mean “horizontally?”)
“Also, definitely do not pull the string.”
(What is this? Some kind of gag? Pull the string without pulling the string—this must be a riddle. Is this really even a confetti ball?)
“After that...”
(What—there’s more?)
“Giant bazooka-style confetti cannons will shoot out on the left and right. Please do not be startled by the huge sound emitted.”
(Your saying “Do not be startled”—you know that makes it even scarier, right!?)
Sure enough, the explosion was greater than anyone imagined. Here’s the photo to prove just how surprised everyone on stage was.
We are almost to the opening of Expo Osaka!
I can’t wait to see you all there!