A total of 153 countries and regions have officially announced they will attend the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, surpassing the government's target of 150, minister for the World Expo Naoki Okada announced at a press conference on Friday.
Ukraine, currently fighting off an invasion by Russia, has not yet confirmed its participation. Okada called on Ukraine to join the expo and promote ideas and appealing aspects of the country. Regarding Russia, which has already announced its intent to participate, he said, "If the current situation remains unchanged, their participation is not expected."
The breakdown is as follows: 19 countries from Asia, including China and South Korea; 24 countries from the Americas, including the United States and Canada; 39 countries from Europe, including the United Kingdom, Germany and France; 12 countries and 1 region from the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and Iran; 45 countries from Africa, including Egypt and South Africa; and 13 countries from Oceania, including Australia and Samoa. The number of participating countries and regions sets a record high for an expo held in Japan.
The 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo is scheduled to take place on Yumeshima, a man-made island in Osaka Bay, from April 13 to Oct. 13, 2025.
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