The Japanese million metropolis Osaka again organized the world exhibition after 1970. But the interest in Japan's population has so far been low, there is criticism of the costs and the venue.
Expo has been opened in Osaka in Japanese. Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako gave the starting signal for the world exhibition. The gates open on Sunday for normal visitors. The crown prince couple and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also took part in the opening ceremony broadcast on television.
The area of the Expo, located on the artificial island of Yumeshima (in German: dream island), is surrounded by the spectacular “Grand Ring”, a wooden construction up to 20 meters high and up to 20 meters high – according to the organizers of the largest in the world. The impressive building is intended to symbolize the overarching concept of Expo – diversity and unit.
More than 160 countries, regions and international organizations show their ideas for the central theme “Future Society for our Life” in their pavilions in their pavilions in their pavilions. As with previous world exhibitions, it is about sustainability and climate protection.
So far low interest in Japan
In 1970 Osaka was the host of Expo. At that time, more than 64 million visitors came. This time, according to the latest information, the organizers expect around 28 million. But the interest in Japan's population has so far been low. As a reason, critics indicate that the expo-topic is vague and too wide.
Another point of criticism is the costs that have almost doubled to 1.4 billion euros. Among other things, increased material prices are mentioned as the reason. “We residents of Osaka do not need the Expo. During the pandemic we had the highest death rate of Japan because there are far too few public hospitals,” said Yoshiyasu Yamakawa in a demonstration in front of the town hall in Osaka. “A large construction project like the Expo doesn't help us at all.”
The illuminated “Grand Ring” of the Expo in Osaka from the air is referred to by the organizers as the largest timber structure in the world.
Criticism of the venue on the artificial island
The artificial island of Yumeshima, originally a landfill, is completely unsuitable for a great event, activist Akiko Ohguchi argued. “The island drops by about seven centimeters every year. The floor is very soft and the weight of the buildings sinks more.”
Because Yumeshima used to be used as a landfill, high -inflammatory methane can escape. A year ago, Funken triggered an explosion during welding work. Critics also pointed out the risk that tens of thousands of visitors on the island, which is only accessible to a limited extent, could be included in an earthquake disaster. Precautionary measures had to be taken accordingly.
Hosts believe in success
Sachiko Yoshimura from the PR department of the Expo in turn believes that a world exhibition is important now. “Unfortunately, there are many wars. The world is shared. But right now it is important to get together despite all the problems to talk to each other. This will open up new perspectives.”
The organizers believe that interest in Expo will still increase. This should ensure attractions such as talking robots or a “flying car”. Japan presents itself in the largest Pavilion of the Expo. It installs a state -of -the -art biogas plant in which waste is converted into energy with the help of algae.
German pavilion with a focus on Circular economy
The German pavilion, which consists of several cylindrical wooden buildings and is green, is also about circular economy. The Federal Ministry of Economics is important when he appeared in Japan to convince visitors to German technology without moralizing.
“It's not about walking through the world with a raised index finger,” says General Commissioner Patrick Specht. One wanted to convey the topic in a playful way. On interactive displays, visitors learn how sustainable cities can look like what Germany's economy and research institutions already have to offer in innovations and ideas and what everyone can contribute to everyday life.
The German pavilion consists of seven circular buildings.
Like the “Grand Ring”, the pavilion was designed in such a way that it can be dismantled and the material can be reused elsewhere.
A huge hotel resort with casino is being built on the Expo site after the world exhibition. A project that in the eyes of the Expo opponents does not exactly stand for sustainability or could even represent a society of the future.
With information from Thorsten Iffland, ARD Tokyo, Zzt. Osaka.
