Creating the Future of Beauty: Japanese Hair Culture at Osaka Expo 2025

On May 21, 2025, Osaka will be the vibrant stage for an extraordinary event titled "JAPANESE HAIR CULTURE - Creating Future Beauty Designers". This special occasion will merge the realms of the beauty industry, K-POP, and cutting-edge AI technology. The event is scheduled to take place in the Osaka Kansai Expo venue, showcasing the latest innovations and creativity pushing the boundaries of beauty.

Event Highlights

The event promises a dynamic lineup, featuring the use of AI that will bring the legendary beautician Sakamaki Tetsuya, who passed away in March 2024, back to the stage. It will highlight presentations by five talented beauty students selected from 23 schools in the Kansai region, each expressing their visions for the future of hairstyling in three-minute speeches. Additionally, the K-POP girl group Kandis, will perform for the first time in Japan, creating a spectacular fusion of music and hairstyling.

This unique program aims to portray where the beauty industry is heading, hoping to offer insights and igniting passion within the next generation of hairstylists.

Part 1: Student Presentations

Five aspiring beauty students will present their visions of what the future of beauty should look like. Their presentations will revolve around critical themes such as: "Where should the beauty industry head next?" and "What contributions can we make to society through our work in beauty?" The students' heartfelt words will undoubtedly resonate with the audience. To reward their efforts, the top presenter will receive prizes valued at 500,000 yen.

Here are the students who will take the stage, listed alphabetically:

- Ueno Kohka (Takatsuki Beauty Art College)
- Sasaki Nozomi (Osaka Mode Gakuen)
- Tanaka Ayana (Nishinihon Hair Makeup College)
- Nakagawa Kojiro (NRB Japan Beauty College)
- Aki Fuyuki (Nishinihon Hair Makeup College)

Part 2: AI and Talk Sessions with Sakamaki

This segment will feature Sakamaki Tetsuya, represented through AI technology, discussing essential topics about the future of beauty and how to remain a sought-after stylist a decade down the line. Sakamaki's contributions to the beauty sector were monumental, and through this innovative resurrection, attendees can absorb his philosophy and profound messages that remain relevant today.

Joining him on stage will be Kazuhira Amino, CEO of Apish, and Toshihiro Morikoshi, representative of the Digital Salon Association. Together, they will explore "Beauty and Technology: The Future of the Industry", diving into how technological advancements will harmonize with beauty practices moving forward—or what could be referred to as the dawn of a new beauty era.

Part 3: Hair Performance Show × K-POP

In a culminating collaboration, top stylists from across the country will perform live hairstyling alongside Kandis. This exclusive event will reveal hair designs created solely for the moment, synchronizing with the music in an evocative display of "living beauty". This will emphasize the captivating art form where movement and aesthetics coexist seamlessly, creating a performance that could only happen once.

About Kandis

Kandis, a four-member girl group under 60DGRS, debuted with their full album Playground on January 14, 2025. Their sound is characterized by a blend of R&B, neo-soul, and hip-hop, driven by their leader Hello, who actively participates in their music production, steering the group’s creative vision.

The Legacy of Sakamaki Tetsuya

Sakamaki Tetsuya was the founder of Apish and made invaluable contributions to the beauty industry. Having established Apish in 1998, he developed innovative perm techniques and educational systems, enhancing the stature of beauty professionals throughout his career. Though he left us in March 2024, his vision and commitment to excellence continue to inspire countless beauty artists today.

Event Details

Mark your calendars for this transformative experience set to take place on May 21, 2025, from 19:00 to 20:30 at the Osaka Kansai Expo Pop-Up Stage, facilitated by Apish Mirai Juku. Participants will be invited to learn, engage, and celebrate the future of beauty in a collective artistic atmosphere that blends various elements of culture, creativity, and technology.

Join Us

We warmly invite everyone to join this thrilling event, a true representation of how technology, youth passion, artistry, and music can intersect to forge a unique narrative for the beauty industry at the 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo.

For more information, you can follow our official Instagram @mirai_zyuku. Updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses from our preparations will be posted continuously. Let's embark on this journey to explore and create the future of beauty together!