Photo/Illutration Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba delivers a speech at the closing ceremony of the Osaka Kansai Expo on Oct. 13. (Tadashi Mizowaki)

OSAKA—A ceremony held on Oct. 13 gave a positive message to the world from the Osaka Kansai Expo, an event that covered 184 days and attracted about 25 million visitors.

Crown Prince Fumihito, the honorary head of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and other dignitaries took part in the closing ceremony that started at 2 p.m.

“Many people gathered here in Yumeshima and deepened mutual understanding through the ties that were established,” Fumihito said.

He added that it was extremely significant that opportunities were created for thinking about various issues facing the world.

Ishiba said many visitors were satisfied because the expo placed importance on solidarity over fragmentation and toleration over confrontation.

He added that the event symbolized a new dawn for Japan and would lead to revitalizing rural communities.

Preparations for the expo, which opened in April, were marred by concerns about spiraling costs. The event also ran into transportation problems that left guests stranded at the venue in the summer heat.

However, the expo received high praise on social media, which propelled its popularity.

The association said it expects the expo to generate an operating profit, mainly from stronger-than-expected ticket sales.

The event was to officially end at 10 p.m.

“The expo connected different cultures in a single space, creating a captivating, out-of-the-ordinary experience,” the association said in its declaration to the world released on Oct. 13.

“Participants and visitors engaged in dialogue and co-creation and saw their culture resonate with each other, united in diversity in bringing forth their messages toward the future society for our lives,” it added.

Earlier, Ishiba presented Myaku-Myaku, the expo mascot, with a certificate of appreciation for helping to increase the popularity of the event.

Ishiba said Myaku-Myaku’s “cuteness” had helped to transmit to the world the significance and appeal of the expo.

At 4 a.m., a line about 900 meters long had formed in front of the East Gate by those who waited overnight to enter the expo grounds on the final day.

The gates were opened about 20 minutes earlier than the planned 9 a.m. start.

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