Japan's Expo to open with unity theme

Event is also known as the World's Fair

- KATIE FORSTER

World Expo opens on Sunday with host Japan aiming to bring humanity together, despite global turmoil and tepid public enthusiasm for the six-month event showcasing innovation as well as Hello Kitty in algae form.

A Mars meteorite the size of a sourdough loaf and a beating heart grown from stem cells are among the myriad futuristic attractions crammed into a vast waterfront site in Osaka hosting more than 160 countries, regions and organisations.

Most pavilions each more outlandishly designed than the last are encircled by the world's largest wooden architectural structure, a towering latticed “Grand Ring” meant as a symbol of unity.

But with conflicts raging and US tariffs threatening economic chaos, that goal may be optimistic.

"Not for sale" states a yellow and blue sign over Ukraine's booth echoing defiant comments from leader Volodymyr Zelensky about the war with Russia, which chose not to mount a display at Expo 2025.

Yahel Vilan, head of Israel's equally compact pavilion, which features a stone from Jerusalem's ancient Western Wall, told AFP that “we came with a message of peace”.

Israel is not at Expo “to deal with politics”, he said. There is also a Palestinian pavilion, but it was not open at a Wednesday press preview.