ROME, Feb. 5, 2024 /ANSA=KYODO JBN

Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen Italian presence

The Commissioner General for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka and the Italy Japan Foundation have signed a memorandum of understanding for the organization of joint initiatives and events to strengthen Italy's presence at Expo 2025 Osaka. The next Universal Exposition, to be held in Japan from April 13 to October 13, 2025, has the theme 'Designing future society for our lives', which the Italian Pavilion has chosen to interpret under the banner 'Art Regenerates Life'.

The project, designed by architect Mario Cucinella, is a modern reinterpretation of the Ideal City of the Renaissance, with a theatre, square and garden at the center of a typically Italian urban model that emphasizes the importance of human relations and technology at the service of the individuals.

“Italy and Japan are linked by more than 150 years of political relations. Both are members of the G7, G20 and OECD, and, since the meeting between Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in January 2023, they have raised their diplomatic relations to the level of strategic partnership,” said Ambassador Mario Vattani, Commissioner General for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka. “Although Expo will naturally be a global event, one of Italy's objectives is to strengthen the already excellent bilateral relations with Japan,” he continued. “The collaboration with the Italy Japan Foundation, which has always been committed to promoting dialogue between the two countries, will be developed in this sense.”

“The Italy Japan Foundation promotes reciprocal knowledge of the two countries,” said Umberto Donati, Director of the Italy Japan Foundation. “It is a founding member of the Italy-Japan Business Group and supports the development of our economic fabric and of our territories,” he continued, recalling the “numerous promotional activities carried out for the entry into force of the EPA - Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Japan”. “I am very pleased that the Italy Japan Foundation will become part of the large family of the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, an extraordinary opportunity for growth for the entire country system,” concluded Donati.

Source: General Commissioner’s Office of Italy for Expo 2025 Osaka