Osaka Expo 2025 Expected to Generate ¥1 Trillion in Economic Activity

A recent report from the Resona Research Institute predicts total expenditures linked to the Osaka Expo in 2025 will reach about ¥1 trillion. Scheduled to run for six months starting April 13, the expo is expected to be a major driver for revitalizing the regional economy in Kansai.

Chief researcher Hideyuki Araki has based this economic forecast on an expected attendance of 28 million visitors throughout the duration of the event, which ends in October. The comprehensive estimate breaks down visitor spending into specific categories, such as ticket fees—which are projected at ¥196 billion—and transportation, expected to contribute around ¥212 billion.

Additional spending generated by visitors outside the expo site—including expenditures on hotels, restaurants, and local tourist activities—is anticipated to amount to approximately ¥462 billion. These external expenditures alone could stimulate new demand within the broader Kansai economy, reaching an estimated ¥567 billion overall.

Despite the optimistic figures, there are also potential issues on the horizon. Araki notes that the existing supply of accommodation is becoming increasingly strained due to shortages in labor availability. He warns that, unless properly addressed, this accommodation shortage may create hurdles for sustained tourism growth even after the expo concludes.