Photo/Illutration Visitors seek products featuring Myaku-Myaku, the official mascot of the 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo, on Oct. 3. (Emiko Arimoto)

The Osaka Kansai Expo is expected to turn an operating profit of 23 billion yen to 28 billion yen ($151 million to $184 million) due mainly to strong admission ticket sales, the operator said.

The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition said on Oct. 7 that ticket sales have exceeded projections by about 20 billion yen. Revenue from merchandise and food sales is expected to add 3 billion yen to the profit.

Before the expo opened, there were concerns about a possible deficit. However, positive reviews about the event on social media helped to increase attendance and shift the outlook toward profitability.

“We have managed not to leave a deficit,” said Hiroyuki Ishige, secretary-general of the association.

The association had allocated a budget of 116 billion yen for operating costs.

Construction expenses, allocated separately, totaled 235 billion yen, including costs of the Grand Ring with a circumference of about 2 kilometers.

The central government covered security costs of 25 billion yen.

“We can’t really call it a profit unless the amount exceeds 25 billion yen,” Heihachiro Ono, deputy secretary-general of the association who oversees finance, said.

According to the association, the original plan was to sell 18 million tickets, which would cover 80 percent, or 96.9 billion yen, of the operating costs.

However, ticket sales had already reached 22 million yen by early October.

The association also said operating costs could be reduced by up to 5 billion yen.

The expo will close on Oct. 13.

The final figures will be confirmed after the association is dissolved at the end of March 2028.

The government, stakeholders and experts will discuss how the profits will be used. These discussions will evaluate the expo’s achievements and determine what kind of legacy the event should leave behind.

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