The Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan officially opened on Sunday, April 13. As the EXPO Co-Creation Program Director, Seiichi Saito, Panoramatiks Principal, is leading various initiatives that leverage the Expo as an opportunity for people of diverse backgrounds to envision the “future society,” take action, and implement new ideas in society.
Saito is spearheading “TEAM EXPO 2025,” a participatory program where diverse teams work together on various activities to contribute to the Expo and beyond. He also facilitates the “Expo Outcome Design Committee (EODC),” which examines visions of a future society from a design perspective, aiming to create a lasting legacy for the Expo.
Additionally, Saito serves as an advisor to the “Co-Design Challenge,” a project born under the supervision of EODC. This project encourages reflection on the future of life and cities in Japan and aims to realize new products and services through collaboration with a diverse range of players. By fostering discussions that transcend sectors and positions, Saito supports startups and the creation of new industries while shaping the prototype of a future society.
From this fundamental question—“What is an Expo?”—Saito and Panoramatiks aim to go beyond a one-time event and help create a new society.
About Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan
Dates: April 13 (Sun) – October 13 (Mon), 2025 (184 days)
Location: Yumeshima, Osaka
Official Website: https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/
During the 184-day Expo, multiple events featuring Seiichi Saito as EXPO Co-Creation Program Director are planned. Panoramatiks is also producing the following events at the venue.
*As of June 16, 2025 (subject to updates)
[1] Events involving the EXPO Co-Creation Program Director
▼Co-Design Challenge PR Events / Talk Sessions
As part of the Co-Design Challenge, where designers work with manufacturers across Japan to develop new products and services, these PR events by the Japan Association for the 2025 World Expo will feature Seiichi Saito in talk sessions.
– May 28 (Tue), 13:30–16:00 Guests: Shinji Yajima (Japan Institute of Design Promotion), Seiichi Saito
– July 29 (Tue), 13:30–16:00 Guests: Jun’ya Yamaide (Yamaide Art Office), Seiichi Saito
– September 22 (Mon), 13:30–16:00 Guest: Seiichi Saito
Venue: Future Life Village
Organizer: Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition
Director: Seiichi Saito (EXPO Co-Creation Program Director)
Project Manager: Yuri Nishiyama (Panoramatiks)
▼On-Site Tour of “EXPO CIRCULAR MARKET MYAKU-ICHI!” with Seiichi Saito, Director of the Expo Co-Creation Program
Join us for a guided tour inside the Expo 2025 venue, where we will examine actual facilities and equipment currently in use and explore ideas for their future utilization. The tour will be led by representatives from the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition and Seiichi Saito, Director of the Expo Co-Creation Program, who will also be available to discuss specific inquiries on-site.
– Dates: Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Meet at 10:00 AM / Tour ends at approximately 12:00 PM
-Meeting Point: In front of “E03 NTT Pavilion,” East Gate Zone
-Organized by: Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition
-Registration: Required (please check the link below)
Director: Seiichi Saito, Director of the Expo Co-Creation Program
Project Managers: Yuki Mori, Keisuke Kawamura (Panoramatiks)
[2] Events Co-Produced by Panoramatiks
▼Joint Exhibition by Reconstruction Agency & METI: “A Better Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake”
“FUKUSHIMA FUKKO – TRANSFORMATION” by METI
Fourteen years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake. Today, many people continue to collaborate and contribute to the reconstruction of the Fukushima Hamadori region and surrounding areas. The Exhibition “A Better Reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake”, held at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, shares these efforts with the world. Under the concept “FUKUSHIMA FUKKO – TRANSFORMATION: F-X”, the exhibition highlighteds the passionate challenges and initiatives currently underway in regions affected by the unprecedented compound disaster. Through exhibitions, stage events, and interactive experiences, the spotlight was placed on the people driving these efforts. Panoramatiks is also participating in this initiative.
– Dates: May 20 (Tue) – May 24 (Sat), 9:00–21:00
– Venue: EXPO Messe
– Organizer: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
– Admission: Free (no reservation required)
Related Events:
① May 20 (Tue), 11:00–12:00
Opening Session
Michihiko Yanai & Seiichi Saito
Spreading the message of Recovery: FUKKO from Fukushima to the world
Speakers:
– Michihiko Yanai (Creative Director / Professor, Tokyo University of the Arts)
– Seiichi Saito (Panoramatiks)
② May 21 (Wed), 14:00–16:00
“The Future of Artistic Activities in the Hamadori Region”
Speakers:
– Chiaki Orita (Contemporary Artist)
– Tatsuo Miyajima (Artist, online)
– Kentaro Mori (Katsurao Collective)
– Jun Yano (MARBLiNG Inc.)
– Jun’ya Yamaide (Yamaide Art Office)
– Seiichi Saito (Panoramatiks)
Creative Director: Seiichi Saito (Panoramatiks)
Project Manager: Yuri Nishiyama (Panoramatiks)
▼Digital Twin Perspectives – Real and Virtual City Futures
As part of the Theme Weeks at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, we, a member of Project PLATEAU, participated in the thematic event “Future Communities and Mobility.” Under the theme “What makes a community where everyone can live as themselves?” we showcased Japan’s digital twin technologies.
– Dates: May 20 (Tue) – May 24 (Sat), 2025
– Venue: Gallery WEST (Indoor Exhibition Rooms 1 & 2)
– Organizer: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
[More Info] https://www.mlit.go.jp/plateau/expo2025/
Creative Director: Daito Manabe (Rhizomatiks)
Producer: Takuma Shukuin (Panoramatiks)
▼WOODS & DESIGN ASAHIKAWA
Since 2023, Panoramatiks has organized the event “WOODS & DESIGN ASAHIKAWA” connecting regional crafts using local materials from Asahikawa, a UNESCO Design City in Hokkaido. It brings people from various regions together to learn and share ideas to solve issues in forestry and furniture industries. At the Cabinet Office’s “SDGs Festival,” Panoramatiks supported a booth presentation introducing sustainable design and woodcraft efforts.
– Dates: May 28 (Tue) – June 1 (Sun), 10:00–21:00
– Venue: Messe <WASSE>
– Organizer: Cabinet Office
– Admission: Free (no reservation required)
Creative Director: Seiichi Saito (Panoramatiks)
Project Manager: Yuri Nishiyama (Panoramatiks)