Tag Archives: Japan

Osaka Expo 2025

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Osaka Expo 2025, officially known as Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, officially opened on April 13, 2025, and will run through October 13 on Yumeshima Island. Held under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” the World Expo convenes over 160 countries and regions to explore solutions to global challenges through innovation, sustainability, and collaboration. The Expo is expected to draw over 28 million visitors.

This is the second time Osaka has hosted a World Expo, following the 1970 event. The 2025 edition features around 80 pavilions that highlight advancements in health, digital transformation, and environmental technologies. A central architectural element is the “Grand Ring,” a 2-kilometer wooden walkway that connects major zones and symbolizes unity through diversity.

National pavilions present country-specific contributions. Japan’s pavilion merges traditional aesthetics with sustainable design, while others, such as the UAE and Germany, focus on futuristic architecture and green living, respectively. Major corporations—including Mitsubishi, Panasonic, and NTT—are showcasing technologies in AI, robotics, clean energy, and smart city infrastructure.

The site is organized into eight themed zones such as “Connecting Lives” and “Saving Lives,” offering varied experiences across sectors. Cultural highlights include traditional Japanese performances and a rare public display of a Martian meteorite. Nighttime events like the “Moonbow Festival” feature multimedia shows with water projections and synchronized light displays.

For businesses, the Expo offers opportunities to gain insight into emerging trends in many industries. It also facilitates connection with global leaders through recourses like the Osaka Prefectural Government’s One-Stop Business Service Desk and a dedicated business handbook.

Certified under ISO 20121 for sustainable event management, the Expo aims for carbon neutrality and zero waste. Long-term infrastructure projects linked to the Expo are expected to drive economic and technological growth in the region.

Honda-Nissan Merger Would Create a New Automotive Giant

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The proposed merger between automotive companies Honda and Nissan represents a significant shift in the global automotive landscape. If actualized, it would create the world’s third-largest automaker, behind Toyota and Volkswagen, with a combined market value exceeding $50 billion. Discussions between Honda and Nissan are expected to conclude by June 2025, but it is thought that a new, merged entity would fall under a parent company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, with Honda nominating most of the board members. It is projected that the new entity could generate $191.4 billion and an operating profit exceeding $19.1 billion.

The merger aims to address several key industry challenges through strategic collaboration. By standardizing vehicle platforms and integrating research and development, the companies expect to reduce development costs while accelerating innovation in electric vehicles (EVs) and intelligent driving systems. Honda’s operational effectiveness would complement Nissan’s expertise in SUVs and EV batteries, creating a more comprehensive product portfolio.

Manufacturing efficiency also stands to improve through streamlined production systems and integrated supply chains. The combined entity would offer a diverse range of vehicles, from traditional internal combustion engines to hybrid and fully electric models, meeting varied customer needs worldwide.

The timing of this merger aligns with the industry’s transition toward electric and autonomous vehicles. While immediate benefits include operational cost savings and enhanced market competitiveness, the partnership is viewed as a long-term strategic initiative, with significant results expected post-2030.

In key markets like India, the merger could strengthen their position against emerging competitors, particularly Chinese EV manufacturers. The combined resources would enable faster development of new technologies while spreading investment costs across a larger production base.

This strategic alliance reflects the broader trend of automotive consolidation as manufacturers seek to navigate the complex transition to electric mobility while maintaining competitiveness in an evolving global market.

Data Shows US Businesses Growing

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According to a report, the beginning of the year 2020 has seen a burst of growth in US business activity. This contrasts with slowing growth in many other major economies around the world.

Photo courtesy Isabel Alarco

Japan also saw a rise in business activity, helping pick up for the weak performance at the end of 2019. Europe was showing signs of slow growth in January, with exports from Europe stabilizing after a long decline. The service sector was still languishing.

The US economy is doing better than either Japan or Europe, and the prediction is that for the near future at least it will stay this way. The cooling down of the trade war between the US and China should also add a little boost to the economies of both countries and countries connected to them through trade.

IHS Markit, a data-gathering company, reported that its composite purchasing managers index in the US had reached 53.1 in January, up from 52.7 in December, the highest it has been in 10 months.

IHS also stated that, according to surveys, businesses in Europe and out will most likely remain slow and weak. Surveys of CFOs discovered confidence in the US market, but not as much confidence in the European and other markets. Some are expecting a stall in the 2020 economy.

Japan Tagging on Tourist Tax to All Departing Persons

Japan
Japan

As of January 7, 2019, all those leaving Japan will be required to cough up an additional 1,000 yen (US$9). The money will be collected to improve tourism infrastructure in the country.


The levy, known as the International Tourist Tax, will be obligatory and all nationalities, regardless of the reason they are leaving the Japan. Tourists, businessmen, and any other traveler, as long as he or she is beyond 2 years old, will have the surcharge added to the price of their plane ticket.


Japanese authorities expect to raise about 50 billion yen. With the new money they plan to improve tourism infrastructure, including making the immigration process at the airport smoother, and encouraging visitors to go beyond the usual Tokyo and Kyoto stops during their stays in Japan.


The Asian democracy has been stepping up its marketing to the international tourist sector as a new source for its economic growth. In 2018 it is estimated that about 30 million foreigners visited Japan, the most ever. Many of the growth in tourism comes from Asian visitors, especially those arriving from China, South Korea and Taiwan. Japan is hoping that the coming Olympics will get the number of visitors to Japan up to 40 million by the year 2020.

Panasonic Quietly Recognizes Same-Sex Marriage

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Attitudes towards expansion of certain types of worker’s rights, such as same-sex marriage, do not get the same kind of wide-spread support in Japan as they do in the United States. In a move that is out of step with the prevailing cultural and business attitudes held in Japan, Panasonic has, albeit quietly, recognized the legitimacy of same-sex partnerships.

Panasonic decision is highly unusual, and although it is bold, it is unlikely to be the beginning of a new trend in Asia. “Coming out” is highly problematic in countries like China, South Korea and the Philippines, as well as much of the rest of Asia. Not only do the individuals coming out face extreme ridicule, their families also have to endure abuse and even ostracism.

Lenny Sanicola, an expert on employee benefits policy at a Washington DC-based non-profit called WorldatWork, thought Panasonic’s low-key approach to their announcement was a mistake. He said that “Panasonic would be a pioneer in Japan,” if they would announce their new policy loud and clear to the entire world. The message they would project would show that the company placed a high value on diversity, thus attracting younger talent to Japan, a country that is aging quickly.

Sanicola added that it is just a matter of time until the Asian countries adopt the same position as that held in Europe and North America.