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Expo 2025 Osaka: A Photo Odyssey
In May 2025, a group of students from the USC Master of Public Diplomacy Program, led by Director Jay Wang, visited the World Expo in Osaka, Japan. Participant Yao Li captured the state-of-the art pavilions and carnival-like atmosphere in a series of stunning photographs. Join us on a journey around the world...in Osaka.
Welcome to the World's Fair.
The Grand Ring, the largest wooden architectural structure in the world.
A warm welcome, at the Australia Pavilion.
Exploring the beaches down under, inside the Australia Pavilion.
Fine craftsmanship in the Cambodia Pavilion.
Standing guard with the Mounties, outside the Canada Pavilion.
Space-walking, well virtually, inside the Canada Pavilion.
The China Pavilion, with bamboo slips shaped like an unfolded calligraphy scroll.
The China Pavilion's noble theme: “Building a Community of Life For Man And Nature.”
A ceiling sculpture garden, in the Czech Pavilion.
Gazing across the Expo grounds.
Handlers escort the Expo mascot, Myaku-Myaku, "a mysterious creature," with a body of cells (red) and water (blue).
The mascots photograph well from every angle.
An evening at the fair.
A constellation of drones.
Light and water.
The Electric Power Pavilion and its carbon-neutral light show.
"Eggs of Possibility" in the Electric Power Pavilion.
Morning assembly.
The France Pavilion, themed: "A Hymn to Love."
Louis Vuitton, reimagined, in the France Pavilion.
A dreamy night, in the France Pavilion.
Ceiling selfie in the German Pavilion, themed "Wa! Germany." Wa, in Japanese, means "circle," "harmony," and...
"...wonder."
A "fusion of time," inside the Israeli Expo.
Entering the virtual, in the Japan Gas Pavilion.
The Japan Pavilion, themed "Between Lives."
Robots at work, in the Japan Pavilion.
In the Japan Pavilion, something around every corner.
A forest canopy, in the Japan Pavilion.
The Nigerian Pavilion's four streets: Resilience Ave., Respectful Ave., Hardworking Ave. and Enterprising Ave.
A Nigerian lion.
The Qatar Pavilion, themed: "From the Coastline, We Progress."
Behind-the-scenes, in the Qatar Pavilion.
Between two ships, at the Qatar Pavilion.
The Saudi Arabia Pavilion, celebrating the history's kingdom, culture, and heritage.
A digital triptych of Saudi athletes.
The whimsical Singapore Pavilion, themed "Where Dreams Take Shape."
A starry wonderland, in the Singapore Pavilion.
A future city, on the ceiling of the Singapore Pavilion.
Framed in light, in the South Korea Pavilion.
Switzerland Pavilion, themed: "From Heidi to High Tech."
In the Switzerland Pavilion, the deepfake adds 50 years.
At the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, cheers to Japan on a world-class World Expo.
Welcome tea at the United Arab Emirates Pavilion.
"United for a Better Future" at the United Nations Pavilion.
Touring the UN, via touchscreen.
The United States Pavilion, themed "Imagine What We Can Create Together."
Shohei Ohtani hits one out, inside the USA Pavilion.
T minus 5 seconds to launch, inside the USA Pavilion.
A gathering of communicators, at the World Expo Media Center.
Music at the Fair.
"We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal.”
-President John F. Kennedy
This way to the exit. (Thank you drones.)
Photos by Yao Li. Words by Andrew Dubbins. View the
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