Photo/Illutration An artist’s impression of the venue for the 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo (Provided by the economy ministry)

OSAKA--Organizers of the 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo fear the event could prove to be a huge letdown unless they can woo more countries to commit to setting up pavilions to showcase their achievements.

As of now, many countries are balking at taking that step due to uncertainties about where the global novel coronavirus pandemic is headed.

Nations planning to erect pavilions on their own were expected to apply by the end of June, but so far, a paltry number have completed the procedure, just a little over 10 percent.

As this could cast a pall over the excitement that expos generate, the Japanese government is moving to drum up interest.

Expo pavilions are a means for countries to showcase their culture and latest technologies.

For the Osaka Kansai Expo, organizers set a goal of having 150 countries participate. Of them, 50 states are expected to build display facilities at their own expense in a category known as Type A.

In the 1970 Osaka Expo, unique Type A pavilions, such as the U.S. one featuring moon rock, proved especially popular. Such facilities are indispensable to drawing in the crowds.

But only seven countries--China, Germany, India, Russia, Angola, Bahrain and Luxembourg--have so far decided to construct Type A pavilions among all 43 countries that announced their participation in the fair.

The figure represents just 14 percent of the initially anticipated 50.

Participating states can also choose Type B, under which Japan sets up pavilions for exhibitors to rent, and Type C, where buildings are shared among multiple nations. The remaining 36 countries have yet to determine their choices.

Organizer are desperately hoping that the number of Type A pavilions will rise, given that the current figure is so low.

The primary difficulty is the prolonged pandemic and continued travel restrictions enforced around the world. This forced the Dubai Expo, which was scheduled to kick off last autumn in the United Arab Emirates, to be delayed by a year.

The Osaka Kansai Expo likewise has been unable to stage a full-scale promotional campaign.

“Many people are having a difficult time, so some states are hesitating to formally announce their involvement in the expo for political reasons,” said a Japanese government source.

According to the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition which is organizing the event, participating nations can apply for Type A pavilions even in July and later.

Planned pavilion construction is due to start in fiscal 2023. However, design and other processes take time, which is why organizers are fretting so much.

“We really want other nations to decide as soon as possible (to install pavilions),” said a Japanese government insider. “Clearly, we need to accelerate our efforts to attract them.”

Tokyo is currently looking to take advantage of connections formed by the business community and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) to more aggressively reach out to other nations.

Participants are supposed to apply for Types B and C through the end of December under the government’s plan. 

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