Japans second largest metropolitan city, Osaka, was selected to host the 2025 World Expo on 23 November 2018, edging out Russias Yekaterinburg and the Azerbaijan capital of Baku.
Japan last hosted the 2005 expo in Aichi Prefecture and the 1970 World Expo in Osaka. Under the theme of Designing Future Society for Our Lives, the 185-day event will be held on Yumeshima, a man-made island in Osaka Bay, from 3 May to 3 November.
The concept will showcase advanced technologies, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence, virtual reality and biotechnology, designed to help meet 2030 United Nations sustainable development goals in health and welfare, especially in aging societies.
Infrastructure projects cost at Yumeshima have been estimated at approximately JPY125 billion. The Japanese government anticipates the event to generate JPY2 trillion (USD17.7 billion) in economic benefits and attract about 28 million visitors.
Another round of stimulus will follow in the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.
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