Osaka unveils googly-eyed logo for 2025 expo expressing 'the brilliance of life'

OSAKA -- The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition on Aug. 25 unveiled the event's official logo, in which various googly-eyed red cells are connected into the shape of the western Japan prefecture of Osaka, where the expo will be held.

The 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo's logo expresses "the brilliance of life," which is the theme of the event. It will be used to promote the gala, and will also go on display in and outside of the venue during the fair. Parts of the logo for the Japan World Exposition, Osaka 1970 are incorporated into the 2025 Expo's logo design to look like a cell nucleus.

The winning logo, created by "Team Inari," consisting of graphic designer Tamotsu Shimada, 55, and five others, was chosen from 5,894 designs that were submitted. A selection committee was led by architect Tadao Ando. Shimada said in a press conference held in the city of Osaka, "Like the Tower of the Sun (created for the 1970 Expo), we wanted to create something that was unique and has impact."

The event will take place from April 13 to Oct. 13 in 2025 on the artificial island of Yumeshima in the Osaka Bay area.

(Japanese original by Yuichi Utsunomiya, Osaka Business News Department)