#Japan #Osaka #Expo 2025 #Musubi #UK Pavilion

UK Pavilion at Expo 2025

The UK Government celebrates a successful participation in the 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo, showcasing the UK Pavilion as a hallmark of sustainability, innovation, and the enduring partnership between the UK and Japan.

A Symbol of Commitment

The UK Pavilion was not merely an exhibit but a strong statement of the UK’s commitment to sustainable development and circular design. Built using a modular structure, the Pavilion was designed with a focus on reuse rather than disposal, demonstrating an innovative approach to sustainability.

The UK Government collaborated with its construction and operational partners to ensure sustainable dismantling practices. Leading this initiative was ES Global (ESG), a UK-based company, which will reuse the modular system in future projects, exemplifying practices of circular design.

Reducing Waste

To minimize waste, all possible equipment and materials are being returned, reused, or recycled. Many operational assets, such as commercial kitchen equipment, were rented with the intention of returning and reactivating them post-use, effectively extending the product lifecycle.

These efforts reflect the UK’s sincere commitment to a circular economy, aligning with shared values of innovation, environmental responsibility, and legacy that both the UK and Japan uphold. The adoption of ISO 20121 at the 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo is significant as it marks the international standard for sustainability management systems, a benchmark set in motion by the London 2012 Olympics.

Comments from Carolyn Davidson

Carolyn Davidson, the UK's official representative for the 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo, stated, “The UK Pavilion is more than just an exhibit; it is a declaration of our values. From its modular design to its sustainable dismantling, it reflects our commitment to innovation, environmental responsibility, and legacy. I am particularly proud that our Expo legacy program, MUSUBI, continues to strengthen UK-Japan ties through meaningful cooperation and contributions. The journey of the Pavilion does not end here; it is intended to be reused and redeployed, living on in new forms.”

MUSUBI: A Lasting Legacy

The legacy of the UK Pavilion lives on through the UK’s Expo legacy program, MUSUBI. MUSUBI honors the enduring ties between the UK and Japan by promoting collaboration in education, innovation, and culture. Through MUSUBI, the UK continues to contribute to Japan's Expo legacy, fostering opportunities for people from both nations to learn from each other through partnerships with various organizations in Japan and the UK.

Contributions and Legacy Initiatives

The UK Government works proactively with stakeholders to repurpose assets from the Pavilion. Contributions include:

• - Donation to “Minna no Ie” on the Noto Peninsula:

- Benches, chairs, round wooden tables, Burleigh tableware, Liberty furniture, kitchen equipment, first-aid kits, changing tables, and acrylic A4 frames.

• - Donation to the Expo-inspiring initiative in Osaka, “demo!expo”:

- Conference and restaurant chairs, sofas, bookshelves, TVs, conference equipment, lockers, tables, and outdoor furniture.

• - Contribution to Kansai Airport Group:

- Part of the legacy display that features the iconic red telephone box from the UK Pavilion honors the shared values of international friendship, cultural exchange, and innovation between the UK and Japan. By showcasing the Expo legacy in public spaces, travelers can remember the Expo while reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainable reuse.

A ceremony for the unveiling of the red telephone box is scheduled to take place at Kansai International Airport in early 2026, signaling continued cooperation and initiatives.

For more information about MUSUBI, visit MUSUBI Initiative. For details about Minna no Ie, check Home for All.