Introduction of Plant Area in Japanese Government Pavilion and Displays Related to Universe (Third Round of Publication of Displays)

1. Circulation of waste to water: a group of displays focusing on the work of microorganisms that people cannot see

Microorganisms, which people usually cannot see, play an essential role in the process of circulation and the maintenance of ecosystems, as seen in decomposing organic substances generated in nature, including leftover food and other waste, and converting them into energy, including water, electricity, and carbon dioxide (CO2). The Plant Area, one of the three areas in the pavilion, will showcase installation art that dynamically shows the active movement of microorganisms utilizing countless lights floating in the darkness. In this area, visitors may feel the energy and dynamism generated by microorganisms in a fantastic atmosphere.

The next section in the Plant Area will explain a case example of applications of hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria as cutting-edge technology in cooperation with Kaneka Corporation. Hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria are, so to speak, bacteria that eat CO2. They can be applied to the production of biodegradable plastics by making use of CO2 as a raw material. As these plastics easily decompose even in seawater, the bacteria are strongly expected to contribute to both solving marine pollution caused by plastics and realizing carbon neutrality as a circulation-oriented biomanufacturing technology.

The work of microorganisms in the circulation system will be shown by BE@RBRICK toys, bear-shaped figures that are popular around the world. METI developed the original designs for the BE@RBRICK toys to be showcased at the Japan Pavilion under the sponsorship of Medicom Toy Corporation. In addition, it will provide the display and presentation of the work of microorganisms in cooperation with the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE) and Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.

Sponsors

Medicom Toy Corporation

Address of main office: 3-22-5, Uehara, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo; Zip code: 151-0064

President: Akashi Tatsuhiko

• Company profile (in Japanese)

Cooperating companies and organization

National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE)

Address of main office: 2-49-10, Nishihara, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo

President: Hasegawa Fumihiko

• Organization profile

Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.

Address of main office (Osaka head office): 2-4-4, Nishitemma, Kita Ward, Osaka City

President: Kato Keita

• Company profile

Kaneka Corporation

Address of main office (Tokyo head office): 1-12-32, Akasaka, Minato Ward, Tokyo

President: Fujii Kazuhiko

• Company profile

2. Offering tours of a biogas plant, a facility that generates water and electricity from waste

The Japan Pavilion is equipped with a biogas plant, a facility that uses food waste from the exposition site to generate energy by utilizing the power of microorganisms. The Japan Pavilion will offer tours of the biogas plant under the sponsorship of Kanadevia Corporation. During the tours, visitors can visit the plant site, learn about the work of microorganisms, and experience how new resources and energy, e.g., water, are generated from waste.

Sponsor

Kanadevia Corporation

Address of main office:1-7-89, Nankokita, Suminoe Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture; Zip code: 559-8559

President and COO: Kuwahara Michi

• Company profile

3. Revealing the world’s largest rock from Mars and sand from the asteroids at the Japan Pavilion

In September 2024, METI announced that it would showcase a Martian meteorite (i.e., a rock from Mars) at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. It decided to display the rock at the Japan Pavilion because it regards the rock as suggesting a large-scale circulation throughout the universe that transcends the Earth's environment. This rock is about 29cm wide, 16cm deep, and 17.5cm high and weighs 12.7kg, similar in size to a rugby ball. It is one of the largest meteorites from Mars in the world, and this is the first time that the rock is being shown to a wide variety of people. The rock from Mars contains clay minerals that are believed to form only in the presence of water, and therefore it is considered to be a valuable sample that shows that water once existed on Mars. In addition, the Japan Pavilion will provide a section in which visitors can directly touch a fragment of the rock from Mars.

Note: Samples of these asteroids to be displayed at the Pavilion may change (copyright (c): JAXA).

Moreover, the Japan Pavilion will exhibit sand that asteroid explorers Hayabusa and Hayabusa 2, which were operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), collected from asteroids Itokawa and Ryugu and brought back to the Earth as well as showcasing the significance of Japan's manufacturing technology that made this collection of sand possible. These samples are believed to be valuable materials in exploring the origins of the universe and life.

Cooperating organizations

National Institute of Polar Research, Research Organization of Information and Systems

Address: 10-3, Midoricho, Tachikawa City, Tokyo

Director: Nogi Yoshifumi

• Organization profile

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Address: 7-44-1, Jindaiji Higashimachi, Chofu City, Tokyo

President: Yamakawa Hiroshi

• Organization profile

Related Links

• Introduction of the Farm Area in the Japanese Government Pavilion (First Round of Publication of Displays)
• Exclusive Uniform for Attendants of the Japanese Government Pavilion Chosen
• Introduction of Factory Area in Japanese Government Pavilion (Second Round of Publication of Displays)

For details of the Japan Pavilion, see the official website of the pavilion, titled the Monthly JP Pavilion for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.

• Official website of the Japan Pavilion
• Overview of the Japan Pavilion

Official Social Media of the Japan Pavilion

• X：Japan Pavilion; Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai: @japanpavilion_e
• Instagram：Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan (expo2025_japanpavilion) (in Japanese)
• Facebook：Japan Pavilion (Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan) (in Japanese)

Division in Charge

Information on this press release

Public Relations Office of the Japan Pavilion, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan

Information on the Japan Pavilion

International Exhibitions Promotion Office, Commerce and Service Industry Policy Group