On Monday, September 15, 2025, the Romanian Pavilion received the official visit of the Minister for Expo 2025 Osaka and Consumer Protection and Food Safety, Mr. Ito Yoshitaka, together with part of his ministerial team. The Japanese dignitary was welcomed by the Commissioner General of the Romanian Section, Ferdinand Nagy, who presented him with the official Pavilion badge.
The visit included a presentation of the exhibition concept of the national pavilion, “Romania – Land of Tomorrow” and the multimedia projection “Tradition and Technology”, which highlights how Romanian cultural heritage combines with innovative and sustainable solutions. The moment was completed by a recital held by students of the Faculty of Music of the Transilvania University of Brașov, which included an original interpretation of the traditional Japanese song “Sakura" and the famous Romanian play “Ciocârlia".
The Japanese official appreciated the exhibition “Hemp – Back to Future", futured in the Romanian Pavilion until the closing of the world exhibition, admiring in particular the traditional Romanian and Japanese costumes exhibited in the pavilion, made entirely of hemp, thus emphasizing the connection between tradition and innovation.
The concept of the exibition capitalizes on the tangible and intangible heritage of hemp and highlights its potential for the industries of the future.
While in the area dedicated to arts and crafts, the minister interacted with the Romanian artist Victor Vulpe, vice-world champion in London in 2023 in shoe design and production. During the workshop organized by the artist, the official demonstrated remarkable artistic skills, contributing to the painting of a shoe designed by the Romanian designer. Minister Ito appreciated the way the pavilion combines tradition with technology, offering an engaging and educational experience to visitors. The visit ended at the Romanian restaurant “HARU” within the Pavilion, where the Japanese minister, together with members of his team, enjoyed the authenticity of Romanian gastronomy.
During the meeting, Minister Ito Yoshitaka congratulated Romania for its active and valuable presence at Expo 2025 Osaka, underlining the success of the pavilion among the public and its significant contribution to the theme of the exhibition. The Japanese official also highlighted the role of Expo 2025 as a platform for strengthening bilateral relations between Romania and Japan.
Commissioner General Ferdinand Nagy thanked him for the visit, particularly appreciating the sustained effort made by the Japanese government and authorities in organizing this successful global event: “We are glad that we had the opportunity to share, in this international framework dedicated to dialogue and cooperation, part of Romanian culture, our traditions and crafts, but also the innovations that define our future."
The official visit of the Japanese minister to the Romanian Pavilion reaffirms the commitment of both states to strengthen political cooperation and strategic partnership, Expo 2025 Osaka serving as an international platform for strengthening bilateral relations between Romania and Japan.
Background
Romania is participating in Expo 20205 Osaka with a national pavilion built around the architectural theme “Romanian Magic Box" and developed under the exhibition theme “Romania, Land of Tomorrow". The exhibition space intended for Romania is located in the area allocated to the sub-theme “Saving Lives", has a ground area of approx. 900 sq m. and is located in the vicinity of the Pavilions of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Poland.
The Osaka 2025 World Expo, Kansai, Japan, held from 13 April to 13 October 2025, brings together over 160 international participants and has as its theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives", which is based on the idea of international collaboration and collective involvement to identify solutions to the current challenges of humanity.