From Expo ’70 Osaka to Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai: Half a Century of UAE–Japan Friendship

2025/04/20 16:27

In 1970, during Japan’s period of rapid economic growth, the Osaka Expo became a historic event with participation from 77 countries.

At that time, what is now the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had not yet been founded; “Abu Dhabi” participated in the international exposition for the first time under British protection, marking the emirate’s initial steps into the global community alongside the discovery of oil resources.

When the UAE was officially established in 1971, Japan was among the very first countries to recognize the new nation, swiftly establishing diplomatic relations.

Since then, the two countries have built a multi-layered relationship, centered on energy cooperation but extending into economic, cultural, and technological fields.

After the oil shocks of the 1970s, Japan positioned the UAE as a vital crude oil supplier, while the UAE benefited from Japanese technology and infrastructure, accelerating its modernization.

Fifty years later, Expo 2025 returns to Osaka. The UAE will participate in the “Empowering Lives” zone with one of the largest national pavilions. This pavilion, blending traditional date palm materials with Japanese wooden architecture, symbolizes the UAE’s past, present, and future.

It is designed as a showcase and a platform for international collaboration in innovation, sustainable technology, space exploration, and healthcare fields that will shape tomorrow's society.

A UAE official has emphasized the special significance of returning to Osaka, where Abu Dhabi first participated in a world expo in 1970. The UAE ambassador to Japan has highlighted the over 52 years of mutual respect and cooperation between the two countries.

The ties that began at Expo ’70 have grown far beyond energy and economics, now encompassing culture, education, and innovation.

Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai will serve as a stage to demonstrate the enduring friendship from past to future, and the shared commitment of both nations to building a sustainable society together.

—The Stories of Two Youth Ambassadors: A Japanese Woman and a Man from the UAE—

Kyoto native Ms. Mizue Ichikawa, who previously worked in the apparel industry, decided to apply for the Youth Ambassador program, believing that such a valuable opportunity to interact with people worldwide at the Expo would never come again. Through the ambassador training, she discovered new attractions of the UAE, such as the fact that it is home to not only deserts but also rich natural environments, and that about 90% of the population consists of immigrants, making it a highly diverse and multicultural society. Although only two days have passed since the program began, she spoke with a gentle smile about the many wonderful encounters she has already had.

The male Youth Ambassador, Mr. Abdulla Alsuwaidi from the UAE, used to work at the state-owned oil company in Abu Dhabi and was transferred to its Tokyo branch. He expressed how honored he was to have this opportunity. Afterwards, he guided visitors through the pavilion in fluent Japanese.

https://youtube.com/shorts/u-aGB2maHFA　（Pavilion Tour Video by the UAE Youth Ambassador）

In the UAE, dates from the date palm are processed in various ways, and their combination with coffee, in particular, has become a daily habit. Dates are served with coffee or added to the coffee itself, and they are rooted in Arab hospitality and modern cafe culture.