Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai - The last World Expo I visited in my life

Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai held at Yumeshima Island was closed on the 13th of October.

Japan's first World Expo was also held in Osaka in 1970 when I was a college student.

I hadn't imagined two World  Expos in Osaka in my lifetime.

On both occasion, I enjoyed exploring unique national cultural heritage of each country 

and future technologies. 

This time I especially enjoyed walking around the immense two-tiered circular walkway 

of the Grand Ring which symbolizes “Unity in Diversity.”

The Grand Ring at night from here

(More about the Grand Ring is in my June post A glimpse into Expo 2025.)

Myaku-Myaku is the mascot for Expo 2025 Osaka. 

The Japanese word "脈 myaku"  means pulse. The repetition of "myaku" represents

 the continuous flow of life and knowledge from generation to generation.  

The highlight of my second visit to Expo 2025 was the  several world-class masterpieces 

at the Italy Pavillion.

Italian mascot and bee hive

Just looking at the fantastic, unique, or experimental architecture was fun.

The exterior of NullNull Pavilion composed of mirror-like materials constantly transform 

while reflecting the surroundings and visitors.

BTW, the first female Prime Minister was born in Japan where gender equality index 

has been very low.

Sanae Takaichi is a self-made politician, not a hereditary one, with strength, humility, and flexibility.

She is highly competent, insightful, and has made tremendous efforts for policy-making

as is called "a walking encyclopedia of government policies."

I'd like to correct some of the misleading overseas media reports about her from my point of view.

She is taking the right position for Japan's tradition and geo-political situation.

This is a puzzling point that some female liberals who have been advocating diversity 

and female empowerment started criticizing her. 

Takaichi shows sincere global considerations while she is committed to preserving

 cultural uniqueness and distinctiveness of the nation as a staunch concervative.

What's needed in politicians is whether they can do their job to make results 

for the good of the nation.

I hope she'll  turn people's anxieties about their present and future into hope 

and tackle with the rising prices to build a strong economy.

What will be our judgement in the next election?

Back to the talk of World Expo, I wrote my thoughts on the Expo 1970 Osaka

 in the 2018 post  "Progress and Harmony for Mankind"

I have a question for you.

What is the thing closely related to your everyday life that has progressed most

 in nearly half a century?

I think of two things.

1. At the Expo '70, TOTO featured "Washlet," an early version of the Japanese toilet with integrated  bidet functions and heating.  Now high-tech toilet is a standard fixture in Japanese homes and at public facilities.

2. "Dream Telephone" exhibited at the NTT Pavilion was a revolutionary wireless device, which led us into this amazingly connected world.  It developed in the process  from carphones to the first generation of mobile phones and to the present smartphones.

Linked to Mosaic Monday

Memories of summer, 2025

September is almost over and it has gotten nice and crisp at last after a lingering summer heat.

It’s so great to sleep without the air conditioner on. 

This summer was the hottest and the longest on record with temperatures above 35 degrees C  day after day. 

Hundreds of millions of cloud-troops march out to end the clear sky suddenly.

After downpouring, sun-flowers sway on the wet deck.

During the Apricot Rains, Gangoji Temple creates a profound atmosphere with the serene, earthy scents, 

verdant colors of moss and vegetation, purple bell flowers and stone Buddhist statues.

This area of the roof tiles are since the 8^th century, which made me feel eternity of the temple.

Nara Kingyo Museum is the largest goldfish museum in Japan.  

Gold fish are raised in nearby Yamato-Koriyama City,  one of Japan’s Top 3 goldfish cultivation areas. 

Geothelphusa dehaani, commonly known as Japanese freshwater crab or sawagani is endemic to Japan. 

These small size crabs inhabit clear mountain streams with healthy freshwater ecosystem.

 The Rhinoceros beetle larvae emerged in early-July and lived through summer.

Eating “kakigori” (shaved Ice) or chilled watermelon is one of the ways to cool you down. 

This fruit-parfait-like multi-layered shaved ice made by a chef tasted exquisite with the special syrups and flavor.

Pudding, ice cream, biscuits, seasonal fruits, are artistically arranged on and within the very soft shaved ice.

“国宝Kokuho” (National Treasure) is one of the most engaging films I’ve ever seen.

Coping with swestering deadly heat is challenging, but we could lead a pleasant and memorable summer, 

pacing ourselves with preventative measures and staying indoors in air-conditioned spaces as much as possible.

Linked to Mosaic Monday

Where has the rainy season gone?

 The end of the 梅雨 Apricot Rains was announced officially on June 27 in Kansai region.

 Rainy season usually ends in mid-July when seasonal rain front is pushed northward
 by a strong Pacific high-pressure system. 

The temperature has hit 35 C or higher since the late June when temperatures 

are typically milder at between 25C and 30C.

I’ve loved the relatively cool weather during the Apricot Rains before the arrival of 

full force of summer. 

There are so many nice things during the season.

Rain-making post - nice things during the rainy season

Nice things during the rainy season, 2017

and all the posts labelled "rainy season"

Hydrangeas are the floral symbol of the Apricot Rains.

Hydrangeas thrive along a brook in the Nagai Botanical Garden, Osaka City.

Agapanthus

It was a hot and humid day.

I tried to be in the shade as much as possible.

Umbrella Sky suspended on a path is a popular insta-worthy spot.

These umbrellas would have served mostly as parasols during the short-lived, 

dry rainy season.

The ethereal sound of the wind bell brings out the coolness.

I love blue Hydrangeas.

Vibrant red Common coral-tree flowers and violet-colored Jacaranda shine in the summer sun.

Photographic summary of the botanical garden.

At home, the cake named Hydrangea reminded me of the Hydrangea garden.

Hydrangea Garden and a cake "Hydrangea"

Linked to Mosaic Monday