Inside Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan (The 25 Country Tour!)

Inside Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan (The 25 Country Tour!)
Quizzed ESL Activities

Summary: Expo 2025 Osaka – The 25 Country Tour

The 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan, is a massive international event held every five years, attracting countries to showcase their advancements, culture, and cuisine. Hosted on the man-made island of Yumeshima, this Expo focuses on “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” emphasizing how humanity can live better, longer, and more sustainably. With 157 participating countries, the event is set to run for six months, expecting 28 million visitors.

The Economics of the Expo

World Expos are significant financial undertakings, with host countries and participants investing heavily. Osaka’s Expo 2025 venue alone cost around $1.6 billion, with an additional $1.1 billion for security and support. Including new infrastructure like subway extensions and roads, the total cost could soar to an estimated $67 billion. This substantial investment sparks debates about the event’s overall sustainability and return on investment.

A Focus on Sustainability and Reuse

Despite the high costs, Japan asserts that Expo 2025 is designed with sustainability at its core. A prime example is the giant wooden ring centerpiece, which will be disassembled and reused after the Expo. This principle extends to buildings, furniture, and various materials, highlighting a commitment to minimizing waste and promoting circular economy practices.

International Showcases and Objectives

Participating nations, such as the US, South Korea, Spain, and Saudi Arabia, invest tens of millions in their pavilions. These showcases aim to promote countries to international investors and attract tourists by highlighting their technological innovations, cultural richness, and culinary delights. The diverse pavilions offer a global tour, demonstrating how different nations envision a future society.

Vision for a Better Future

The Expo ultimately serves as a platform for global collaboration and dialogue on pressing issues, aiming to inspire solutions for a better, more sustainable future for all.

Vocabulary Table

Term Pronunciation Definition Used in sentence
Prestigious /prɛˈstɪdʒəs/ Inspiring respect and admiration; having high status. Osaka won the prestigious rights to host the 2025 event.
Participating /pɑːrˈtɪsɪpeɪtɪŋ/ To take part in an activity or event. 157 countries are participating, including the US, South Korea, Spain, Saudi Arabia, and more.
Pavilion /pəˈvɪljən/ A temporary building or tent, used for exhibitions or shows. Spending tens of millions of dollars on their own pavilion to show off their tech, culture, and cuisine.
Cuisine /kwɪˈziːn/ A style or method of cooking, especially as characteristic of a particular country, region, or establishment. Show off their tech, culture, and cuisine.
Attract /əˈtrækt/ To draw by appeal. The event is hoping to attract 28 million visitors over the next 6 months.
Investors /ɪnˈvɛstərz/ People or organizations who put money into financial schemes, property, etc., with the expectation of achieving a profit. These countries want to promote themselves to investors and to attract tourists.
Man-made /ˈmænˈmeɪd/ Made or caused by human beings, as opposed to occurring naturally. This is taking place on a completely man-made island called Yumishima.
Sustainably /səˈsteɪnəbli/ In a way that can be maintained at a certain rate or level. Let’s talk about how we’re going to live better, longer, and more sustainably.
Venue /ˈvɛnjuː/ The place where something happens, especially an organized event such as a concert, sporting event, or conference. So, the venue costs around $1.6 billion.
Infrastructure /ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌktʃər/ The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g., buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise. Once you count all the new infrastructure like subway extensions and roads.
Disassembled /ˌdɪsəˈsɛmbəld/ Took apart (something) into its constituent pieces. After the expo, it will be taken apart and disassembled.
Reused /ˌriːˈjuːzd/ Used again or more than once. After the expo, it will be taken apart and reused.
Materials /məˈtɪəriəlz/ The matter from which a thing is or can be made. Same goes for the buildings, furniture, and materials.
Platform /ˈplætfɔːrm/ A raised level surface on which people or things can stand. Also, a system that supports particular applications. There’s even a matching platform to connect left…
Controversial /ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːrʃəl/ Giving rise or likely to give rise to public disagreement. World expos are sometimes controversial events.

Vocabulary Flashcards



While-viewing Tasks

Complete these tasks while watching the video:



Guided Notes

Fill in the key information as you watch:

  • Year of the first World Expo:
  • Location of the first World Expo:
  • Number of participating countries in Expo 2025:
  • Estimated number of visitors for Expo 2025:
  • The total cost including new infrastructure could hit:

Questions to Answer

Answer the following questions based on the video:

  1. What is the main theme of Expo 2025 Osaka?

  2. What is the name of the man-made island where the Expo is taking place?

  3. How long will Expo 2025 Osaka last?

Checklist

Check off these points as they are covered in the video:

  • The host city for Expo 2020.
  • The purpose of countries spending money on pavilions.
  • The main argument for Japan’s claim of sustainability.
  • Examples of materials that will be reused after the Expo.
  • Mention of the speaker’s plan to rate top five pavilions.

Embedded Video:

Fill in the Blanks Exercise

1. The World Expo comes once every years.

2. Expo 2025 is taking place in , Japan.

3. The first World Expo was held in in 1851.

4. The 2025 event will only last months.

5. There are countries participating in Expo 2025.

6. Countries are spending tens of millions of dollars on their own .

7. The event is hoping to attract visitors.

8. Countries want to promote themselves to investors and to attract .

9. The Expo is taking place on a completely island called Yumishima.

10. The theme of the Expo is designing future society for our .

11. The venue costs around $.

12. The total cost, including new infrastructure, could hit $.

13. Japan claims the whole expo is built around .

14. The giant wooden ring centerpiece will be taken apart and .

15. There’s even a matching to connect left over buildings.

Vocabulary Quiz

1. What does “Cuisine” mean?

a) A style or method of cooking, especially as characteristic of a particular country, region, or establishment.
b) A temporary building or tent, used for exhibitions or shows.
c) Took apart (something) into its constituent pieces.
d) The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g., buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.

2. What does “Participating” mean?

a) A temporary building or tent, used for exhibitions or shows.
b) To take part in an activity or event.
c) Used again or more than once.
d) A raised level surface on which people or things can stand. Also, a system that supports particular applications.

3. What does “Controversial” mean?

a) Took apart (something) into its constituent pieces.
b) Inspiring respect and admiration; having high status.
c) Giving rise or likely to give rise to public disagreement.
d) The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g., buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.

4. What does “Disassembled” mean?

a) To take part in an activity or event.
b) The matter from which a thing is or can be made.
c) Took apart (something) into its constituent pieces.
d) Inspiring respect and admiration; having high status.

5. What does “Reused” mean?

a) A temporary building or tent, used for exhibitions or shows.
b) Used again or more than once.
c) Took apart (something) into its constituent pieces.
d) Inspiring respect and admiration; having high status.

6. What does “Venue” mean?

a) Giving rise or likely to give rise to public disagreement.
b) Took apart (something) into its constituent pieces.
c) The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g., buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.
d) The place where something happens, especially an organized event such as a concert, sporting event, or conference.

7. What does “Prestigious” mean?

a) Inspiring respect and admiration; having high status.
b) Giving rise or likely to give rise to public disagreement.
c) People or organizations who put money into financial schemes, property, etc., with the expectation of achieving a profit.
d) The matter from which a thing is or can be made.

8. What does “Sustainably” mean?

a) In a way that can be maintained at a certain rate or level.
b) Made or caused by human beings, as opposed to occurring naturally.
c) To take part in an activity or event.
d) The place where something happens, especially an organized event such as a concert, sporting event, or conference.

9. What does “Man-made” mean?

a) The matter from which a thing is or can be made.
b) The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g., buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.
c) Made or caused by human beings, as opposed to occurring naturally.
d) In a way that can be maintained at a certain rate or level.

10. What does “Materials” mean?

a) The matter from which a thing is or can be made.
b) People or organizations who put money into financial schemes, property, etc., with the expectation of achieving a profit.
c) Used again or more than once.
d) A style or method of cooking, especially as characteristic of a particular country, region, or establishment.

Fact or Fiction Quiz

1. The World Expo occurs every five years.

a) Fact
b) Fiction

2. The first World Expo was held in London in 1851.

a) Fact
b) Fiction

3. The 2025 World Expo is expected to attract 157 million visitors.

a) Fact
b) Fiction

4. The Expo is taking place on a man-made island called Yumishima.

a) Fact
b) Fiction

5. Japan states that the Expo is not sustainable due to the high costs.

a) Fact
b) Fiction

Extension Activities

Choose from these activities to extend your learning:



Research Project: History of World Expos

Research the history of World Expos, starting from the first one in London in 1851. Choose one significant Expo (e.g., Paris 1889, New York 1939, Montreal 1967) and prepare a brief report or presentation on its theme, key innovations introduced, and its lasting legacy. Consider its cultural, technological, and economic impact.

Difficulty:
Easy

Opinion Essay: The Value of World Expos

Write an essay (250-400 words) arguing for or against the continued relevance and value of World Expos in the 21st century. Consider the high costs involved, the environmental impact, and the benefits in terms of international collaboration, cultural exchange, and technological advancement. Use evidence from the video and your own research.

Difficulty:
Medium

Design a Pavilion Concept

Work with a partner to design a conceptual pavilion for a country or organization of your choice for a future World Expo. Develop a unique theme, outline the main attractions or exhibits, and consider how it would incorporate elements of sustainability and innovation. Present your ideas to the class, explaining your choices.

Difficulty:
Medium

Debate: Expo Costs vs. Benefits

Prepare for a debate with a partner on the topic: “Are the billions spent on World Expos justified by their benefits?” One partner should argue for the justification (e.g., tourism, investment, national branding, innovation), and the other against (e.g., high costs, environmental impact, temporary nature). Research specific examples to support your arguments.

Difficulty:
Hard

Future City Simulation

In groups, imagine you are a team tasked with designing a “future city” that embodies the principles of sustainability and improved living, inspired by the Expo’s theme. Develop a blueprint or a detailed written proposal outlining key features such as energy sources, transportation, housing, and waste management. Present your vision for a future society.

Difficulty:
Hard

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