As the gates of EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai gradually close, one of the most significant side events titled "Business after EXPO" took place inside the Czech Pavilion, widely praised for its architectural uniqueness and technological sophistication. This conference was not merely a recap of the past months but a strategic platform for discussing how to transform the temporary energy of a world exposition into lasting economic and cultural value. The gathering of key figures from government, diplomacy, and the private sector made it clear that the Czech footprint in Japan does not end with the pavilion's dismantling. It is entering a new, institutionalized phase.
The event's significance was underscored by the participation of prominent Japanese and Slovak representatives, who offered perspectives on EXPO through the lens of both national and local economies. Masa Sugano from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) analyzed the role of the exposition as a catalyst for modernization.
He was followed by Hidehiko Hamada (Mayoral Alliance), who focused on the potential of inter-municipal cooperation. This direction was strongly endorsed by Michaela Kovačičová, Commissioner General of Slovakia's Participation to EXPO 2025, who emphasized that synergy between municipalities and regional partners – including within close Czech-Slovak cooperation – is the path to sustainable development that extends beyond capital cities. According to the speakers, the real strength of international relations lies in partnerships between specific regions that jointly tackle global challenges such as urbanization and sustainability.
Critical reflection and historical context were brought to the discussion by Ondřej Soška, Commissioner General of the Czech participation, who stepped in for an indisposed Matthew Ellis from the British Consulate. In his remarks, Soška drew attention to a fascinating yet cautionary parallel with EXPO 1970 in Osaka. At that time, the Kansai region accounted for a quarter of Japan's GDP and was the country's economic powerhouse, giving rise to innovations such as mobile phones and canned coffee. Since then, however, the region's share of GDP has fallen to just 16%, largely due to Tokyo's "siphoning effect" and the absence of a long-term post-1970 strategy. "The stimulus that an exposition provides must not be temporary. We need to build structures that capture and sustain the value of the relationships we've established before our pavilions disappear from the map," Soška stressed.
The need for building solid structures was seamlessly picked up by Jakub Hájek, Director of CzechInvest's Tokyo office. In his presentation, he positioned the Czech Republic as a strategic partner for Japanese investors, highlighting specific investment opportunities the country offers in high-value-added sectors such as semiconductors, AI, and sustainable energy. Hájek made it clear that Czechia is not just a tourist destination or an "assembly plant" for Japan, but a European technology hub ready for deep industrial and R&D integration. This proactive export and investment policy is an essential pillar for turning EXPO contacts into real contracts.
The practical side of expansion and operating in the Japanese market was illuminated by Akimasa Kataoka of Walter Rogers, a company specializing in HR and headhunting. Kataoka spoke very openly about one of the biggest barriers to doing business in Japan today — a critical shortage of qualified talent. His insights into Japanese workplace psychology and recommendations for foreign companies on how to build stable teams in an environment of fierce competition for skilled employees proved invaluable for the entrepreneurs in attendance. His presentation underlined that success in Japan requires not only a good product and investment, but above all a deep understanding of the local human capital landscape.
The highlight and logical culmination of the entire event was the unveiling of a newly emerging organization: Czech Japan Hub. The project, presented by Vladimír Kováčik, is designed as a permanent bridge between the two countries. The Hub aims to pick up where the Commissioner General's team leaves off, providing ongoing support not only for Czech companies seeking opportunities in Japan, but also for cultural organizations and artists. It is a direct response to the call for sustainability – an organization that will actively manage and develop the network of contacts built in Osaka. The success of the Czech mission will thus be measured not by the number of pavilion visitors, but by the strength of the bonds that endure for decades thanks to these initiatives.
About the Czech Pavilion at EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai
Czechia participated in a world exposition as an independent country for the sixth time. Ondřej Soška served as Commissioner General from September 1, 2022, to March 31, 2026. The pavilion's design — a glass spiral — was the result of an open architectural competition won by Apropos Architects studio in March 2023. The building's load-bearing structure consists of modern CLT (cross-laminated timber) panels, while the façade features art glass, a craft with centuries of tradition in Czechia. The pavilion was built by the Japanese company Daisue Construction in cooperation with Czech subcontractors. The national pavilion provided a fitting home for the Czech presence at EXPO 2025, held from April to October 2025 on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka Bay. The pavilion housed a permanent exhibition, the multifunctional Daisue Hall auditorium, facilities for business meetings, a restaurant, and a CTP lounge. In front of the pavilion, visitors could enjoy a relaxation zone overlooking a water feature with a dancing fountain. Cultural performances took place in Daisue Hall nearly every weekend (Friday through Sunday). The pavilion was successfully approved for occupancy in early April 2025 and became the largest timber structure of its kind without a metal load-bearing frame in all of Japan. It officially opened to the public on April 13, 2025, and closed on October 13, 2025.