Japan Pavilion Attendant Uniforms Decided The Design Concept is “embodying Japanese aesthetics”

At Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) will exhibit the Japanese Government Pavilion (or Japan Pavilion for short) on the theme of “Between Lives.” We are pleased to announce that we have decided on the uniforms of the attendants who will provide guidance and a range of services to the many people visiting the Japan Pavilion from Japan and overseas. Based on the concept of “embodying Japanese aesthetics,” the uniforms were designed by creative director Mr. Yuya Nakata, who has built a career around managing fashion brands. Moreover, the uniforms are eco-designed, using mono-materials (single materials) which are easy to recycle.

Designed by Mr. Yuya Nakata based on the concept of “embodying Japanese aesthetics”

The uniforms for the Japan Pavilion attendants will be produced taking into account all facets, from functionality, such as comfort, ease of movement, and heat, to the use of environmentally-friendly materials and recycling of the uniforms after the Expo. Based on the concept of “embodying Japanese aesthetics,” creative director Mr. Yuya Nakata designed the uniforms to be both beautiful and functional. Drawing inspiration from Japan’s traditional garment, the kimono, the uniforms give the Japan Pavilion attendants the liberty to style freely, allowing for diverse styles regardless of age or gender. In particular, the obi belt can be adjusted like a kimono to fit all body types.
Moreover, items such as hats, jackets, and pants can be carried around in a furoshiki wrapping cloth, a clever touch which evokes Japanese culture. They offer a sense of unity while also bringing out the individuality of the people wearing them and welcome visitors.

* The people appearing in the photographs are models.

“Mono-Materials” Are Used to Facilitate Recycling Into New Products

The Japan Pavilion attendant uniforms are made of eco-materials, including plant-based polyester fibers and recycled fibers with used PET bottles as their raw material. Furthermore, as a part of our sustainable initiatives, we have adopted “mono-materials” which are easy to recycle. Conventional clothing is made of different materials, such as cotton and polyester, and has buttons and zippers attached, making it necessary to sort when recycling. The use of mono-materials, or a single material, simplifies the recycling process, greatly reducing the burden on the environment.
Furthermore, the uniforms will be collected after the Expo ends, and we are considering ways to recycle them as new products.

The Japan Pavilion attendant uniforms are being made available with sponsorship from Toray Industries, Inc., Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd., Maxim Co., Ltd., NEWBASIC Inc., and Fukuske Corporation. Furthermore, their production is supervised by the Nippon Uniform Center, a public interest incorporated foundation.

〈Sponsoring companies〉

Toray Industries, Inc.
Head Office location: Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower, 1-1, Nihonbashi-Muromachi 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-8666, Japan
President and Representative Member of the Board: Mitsuo Ohya
Company outline: https://www.toray.co.jp/aboutus/outline.html

Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd.
Head Office location: Nakanoshima Festival Tower West, 2-4, Nakanoshima 3-chome, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8605, Japan
President and Chief Executive Officer: Yasunari Hirata
Company outline: https://www2.teijin-frontier.com/company/outline/

Maxim Co., Ltd.
Head office location: 2-6-13 Kitanagasadori (Tor Road), Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo, 650-0012 Japan
President and Chief Executive Officer: Yuri Watanabe
Company outline: https://maxim-hat.jp/company

NEWBASIC Inc.
Head office location: 1-1-36 Higashi, Shibuya-Ku Tokyo 150-0011 Japan
Chief Executive Officer: Ai Onishi
Company outline: https://www.goyemon.tokyo/newbasic

Fukuske Corporation
Head office location: 11th and 12th floor, Aomi Frontier Building, 2-4-24 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0064 Japan
President and Chief Executive Officer: Tomoya Sakamoto
Company outline: https://www.fukuske.co.jp/about/profile.html

Designer of the Japan Pavilion Attendant Uniforms

Profile of creative director Mr. Yuya Nakata

Mr. Nakata was born in 1988 in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, and moved to France in 2009. He worked as a designer of BEIGE brand products at Onward Kashiyama and then became independent. In 2017, he started his own brand, POSTELEGANT. Armed with the size-free elements of Japanese kimonos and the sense of dimensions he gained in Paris, he has released high-quality collections that combine comfort and beauty. His genderless, high-end modern clothing has garnered acclaim from professionals, and he won the TOKYO FASHION AWARD 2019 in the second year after his debut. He presented a runway show in the Tokyo Collection. Subsequently, he has also presented shows in Florence, Italy and Paris, France.
He has built a career around managing fashion brands, ranging from materials development to design proposals that leverage the sense of dimensions and understanding of pattern making he has cultivated in Japan and France. As of May 2023, he carries out the direction and design of five brands, including the two brands that he manages. Furthermore, he serves as an art director providing visual direction for brands and media.

Approximately 270 People Have Been Selected as Japan Pavilion Attendants. A Briefing Session Was Held on October 12 (Saturday).

Approximately 270 people have been selected as attendants to guide visitors around the Japan Pavilion. Attendants were recruited from April 24 (Wednesday) to July 31 (Wednesday), 2024. Applications were received from a total of 2,695 people, approximately ten times more applicants than the number of positions available.
Candidates from a wide age range, from 18 to 70 years old, were chosen through a document screening and interview process. Furthermore, they were selected from not only the Kansai region but also Kyushu, Tohoku, and other regions, who will draw on their diverse backgrounds to provide hospitality to the domestic and overseas visitors to the Japan Pavilion.
A briefing session for prospective Japan Pavilion attendants was held in Osaka City on October 12 (Saturday). In the briefing session, the relevant people were introduced, and an overview of the Expo was given. In addition, the duties and training schedule for the staff were explained. Through online and on-site training, we will undertake preparations to ensure that the attendants become the face of the Japan Pavilion providing top-class hospitality to all of the visitors.