Six months, 158 countries, over 29 million visitors – the biggest gathering of nations this decade. For Japan, this was an event of extraordinary significance: a World Expo returning to Osaka 55 years after the legendary 1970 edition, with economic impact studies estimating between ¥3.05 and ¥3.6 trillion. For Czechia, it was one of the most successful foreign presentations in the country’s modern history. And this is where Czech-Japan Hub was born.
World Expos have been among the largest gatherings of nations on the planet since 1851 – in duration, scale, and economic impact they surpass even the Olympic Games or the FIFA World Cup.
They are overseen by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), established by the 1928 Paris Convention, which Czechoslovakia ratified in 1932. Since 2000, World Expos have been held every five years, run for six months, and attract tens of millions of visitors from around the world. EXPO 2025 in Osaka is the most recent; the next World Expo takes place in 2030 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Unlike industry trade fairs, World Expos address humanity’s greatest challenges – from sustainability to innovation – and serve as a stage where nations present their best ideas, technologies, and culture. For participating countries, an Expo is a unique opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations, attract foreign investment, and open doors for their companies in the host country and region. That is why World Expos stand as the largest platform for economic, scientific, and cultural diplomacy.
Theme: Designing Future Society for Our Lives
Dates: April 13 – October 13, 2025
The Grand Ring
A 2km-long wooden roof structure designed by architect Sou Fujimoto – the largest wooden structure in the world and the central landmark of the exhibition grounds.
The Czech Pavilion at EXPO 2025 ranked among the most visited European pavilions – a historic achievement for Czech international presentation.
The theme of the Czech participation was “Talent and Creativity for Life” – two forces that have helped humanity overcome obstacles for thousands of years. An exhibition inspired by the philosophy of Alfons Mucha presented Czechia as a creative nation with global reach: from masterful glass art to contemporary art and creative technologies.
The wood-and-glass spiral by Apropos Architects became an exhibit in its own right. As the first CLT timber building in Japan built without a metal load-bearing frame, it demonstrated Czech strength in sustainable construction. The architecture embodied the Czech approach: deeply rooted in tradition and clearly turned towards the future.
The Czech Pavilion showcased a combination of quality architecture, innovation, and practical solutions. The ability to connect research, technology, and real-world application is, in our view, one of Czechia’s strengths. Partner reactions made it clear that Czech companies are perceived as both reliable and innovative.
I rate the national pavilion very positively, especially how majestic it looks from the outside. It is also located in a premium spot, so there is constant foot traffic around it. It simply cannot be missed.
Three intensive days with a major conference and four workshops are behind us. Everything ultimately came together. This was thanks to our preparation, which we started a year and a half before the event, but also to the great professionalism of the team at the Czech Pavilion. Everyone always helped us – the technicians, the restaurant staff, the pavilion crew, and the runners who picked up our guests at the entrance.
"Over six months, more than 1.5 million visitors passed through the Czech Pavilion. Behind that number is the work of hundreds of people who gave this project months, often years, of their lives, thousands of kilometres from home. I thank every member of the team for the extraordinary dedication with which they represented the Czech Republic. The lines that follow belong to them and to our partners."
Ondřej Soška, Commissioner General of the Czech Section at EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai
CTP
Pilsner Urquell
Daisue Construction Co.
CzechTourism, Elmarco, Lesy ČR, Statutární město Brno, Moravskoslezský kraj, OKSystem, Statutární město Ostrava, Plzeňský kraj, Preciosa Group, Purposia, ROBE
2N, Abner, AGC, AtomTrace, Axenta, Circularo, Dermacol, Granát Turnov, Hamiro, Il Sano Prague, Jan Société, Kenka, Kornfeil, Krkonošský národní park, Mertel, Moravia Steel, Novatop, Oplatkárna.cz, Prusa Research, R. Jelínek, Senzomatic, Sklárna Harrachov, StoraEnso, Tedom, Teplárny Brno, Thun, Toner, Třinecké železárny, Thaya Vinařství, Vojenské lesy a statky ČR, Wieden, Wood Factory
Vláda ČR, Ministerstvo zahraničních věcí, Ministerstvo financí, Ministerstvo obrany, Ministerstvo průmyslu a obchodu, Ministerstvo zemědělství, Ministerstvo životního prostředí, CzechInvest, CzechTrade, Česká centra, Dům zahraniční spolupráce
Česká televize
Czech & Slovak Leaders, Česká tisková kancelář, Český rozhlas, E15
Asociace malých a středních podniků a živnostníků ČR, Charles University Innovations Prague (CUIP), Česko-japonská společnost, Český olympijský výbor, Expedice ROBOT, Hospodářská komora ČR, JETRO – Japan External Trade Organization, Karol&Kvído, Knihy trochu jinak, kudyznudy.cz, Leeaf, Masarykova univerzita, Mucha Foundation, Sdružení pro zahraniční investice (AFI), Startup Disrupt, Subfossil Oak, Svaz měst a obcí ČR, Svaz průmyslu a dopravy ČR, Univerzita Karlova, Veletrhy Brno (BVV), Velvyslanectví Japonska v České republice, Women for Women
"Some forms of support cannot be placed in partnership tiers. The institutions and individuals below opened doors for us, entrusted us with national treasures and stood by us when the project ran up against the limits of the possible. They deserve our special thanks."
The Czech government decides to take part in the World Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai and appoints Ondřej Soška Commissioner General. The first partnerships with Japanese institutions take shape. An open architectural competition for the Czech pavilion is launched.
An international expert jury chaired by renowned architect Eva Jiřičná selects the winning pavilion design by Apropos Architects. The demanding process of preparing design documentation and securing its approval in Japan begins. We present the concept across Czechia and Japan and start building a robust network of Czech and Japanese partners.
We unveil the national pavilion in virtual reality. Following a tender, the construction contract is signed. Most of the load-bearing structure and the entire glass facade are made in Czechia. In Japan, there are doubts that such a complex building can be finished on time. Within three months, however, the structural shell stands – roughly a month ahead of the official schedule. Major partners and sponsors join.
The Czech Pavilion is the first foreign pavilion visited by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. On Sunday 13 April, the gates of EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai open. The Czech Pavilion becomes one of the most visited European pavilions.
The ROBOT Expedition of six vintage cars arrives in Osaka, having covered more than 14,000 km in the footsteps of the 1970 Sakura Expedition. On 24 July, marking the 165th anniversary of the birth of painter Alfons Mucha, we celebrate the Czech National Day with Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado, President Petr Pavel, and other distinguished guests.
EXPO closes. The Czech Pavilion welcomed over 1.5 million visitors, hosted dozens of business conferences and VIP guests from around the world, presented more than 500 Czech artists in Japan, and connected over 100 Czech companies with Japanese counterparts – dozens of new business partnerships emerge. The pavilion earns a series of awards: 1st place in the visitors' vote, 2nd place for architecture, 2nd place for best mascot, and the European Union award for hospitality. The Japanese entity of Czech-Japan Hub is officially established and introduced at the Business After EXPO event in the Czech Pavilion.
Czech-Japan Hub is officially presented at the Czech Embassy in Tokyo.
The Czech entity of Czech-Japan Hub is established; the first members join and the Expert Working Groups are formed.
The Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Kansuke Nagaoka, hosts a reception to thank the partners and organising team of the Czech participation at EXPO 2025. The Hub introduces itself to the partner community in Czechia.
EXPO 2025 proved that there is extraordinary potential between Czechia and Japan. Czech companies that invested in the participation built real relationships with Japanese partners, the kind that no database or cold outreach can replace.
But these relationships need systematic care. Without adequate institutional support, they lose momentum within 12 to 18 months. Contacts go cold. Opportunities slip away. EXPO becomes a memory, not a foundation for further business.
The Czech-Japan Hub was created precisely to prevent this. We are the engine that turns the energy of EXPO into concrete business, cultural and institutional results, not only for the partners of the national participation but for any Czech or Japanese organisation seeking a long-term partnership.
