Osaka Kansai World Expo 2025 Venue to Follow Universal Design Guidelines, have ‘Unity in Diversity’ Theme

By Barrier Free Japan

September 7 2025

OSAKA – Osaka in the Kansai Region of Japan will hold the ‘World Expo’ or ‘World’s Fair’ in 2025. Also also known as a universal exhibitions or international exhibition, designed to showcase the achievements of nations. Such events vary in character and are held in different parts of the world at a specific site for a period of time, typically between three and six months. Osaka will hold the World Expo 2025 from April 13 to October 13, 2025. Osaka perviously held the ‘World Expo’ in 1970.

Barrier Free Japan contacted the organisers of the ‘Osaka Kansai World Expo 2025’ asking about plans to make the venue, which is in Yumeshima Osaka, accessible to people with disabilities and about possible themes of thew exhibits that might be about people with disabilities. This was the response from the ‘Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition’:

On Venue Accessibility: 

“In order to create a venue that is easy to use for all visitors, we are formulating universal design guidelines, taking into account the opinions of people with disabilities (physical, intellectual, mental, developmental, etc.) and academic experts, as well as the lessons of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.

Specifically, pavilion exhibitors are required to design their facilities with wheelchair users in mind, install Braille blocks, display easy-to-understand information boards, and create a venue where all visitors can spend a comfortable time regardless whether they have disabilities or not.

In addition, we are considering universal design in terms of intangible aspects so that everyone can enjoy exhibitions, events and performances, food and beverages, other products regardless of his/her condition.”

On Themes at the World Expo 2025 about Disability:

“At the World Expo 2025 (Osaka Kansai Expo), based on “Designing Future Society for Our Lives” theme and “Unity in diversity” venue design concept, we respect the values and individuality of each person, regardless of his/her nationality, culture, race, sex, generation, whether he/she has disabilities or not, etc., and aim to implement a universal design that is easy to use for people from all over the world visiting the Osaka Kansai Expo.”