-We are here to fascinate Japanese public says Marsilio at Expo-

OSAKA, June 17, 2025/ANSA=Kyodo JBN/ --The week dedicated to Abruzzo has opened at the Italy Pavilion of Expo 2025 Osaka with a big crowd taking part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the region's Governor Marco Marsilio, the Commissioner General for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka Mario Vattani, the regional Labour and Business Councillor Tiziana Magnacca, Brothers of Italy (FdI) Whip in the regional council Massimo Verrecchia and Tourism Undersecretary Daniele D'Amario.

    The universal exhibition "is an occasion for the whole world to dialogue and where everyone showcases their special features", said Marsilio.

    The Abruzzo governor noted that the "objective is to fascinate the Japanese and, in general, the Asian public in order to strengthen cultural, touristic, social, food and wine, industrial collaborations".

    And cooperation "is already very much present" because "there is already a lot of Abruzzo in Japan and a lot of Japan in Abruzzo and we will continue to consolidate this connection also through these days", noted Marsilio.

    Indeed Japanese companies present in the Italian region, such as Honda, Denso and Pilkington (NSG Group) will take centre stage during the week dedicated to Abruzzo.

    Such a connection will be at the centre of seven days of events focusing, among others, on the economy and food and wine, while embracing art with performances such as 'Abruzzo Soundscape: music, territory and live mixing'.

    During the first day, the department of Architecture of the University of Chieti took centre stage with the panel 'Design amid tradition and innovation. Cultural heritage, craftsmanship and sustainability between Italy and Japan'.

    The day continued with a cultural event organized by the association 'Japan Abruzzo', dedicated to historic figures closely connected to Japan, including Alessandro Valignani, Raffaele Ulisse Barbolani and Gabriele D'Annunzio.

    The initiatives provide a privileged setting aimed at attracting investments.

    Abruzzo "has a very important Japanese presence", stressed the Commissioner General for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka, Ambassador Mario Vattani, which is "connected to a human and cultural relationship" also because of "shared challenges" such as, for example, "living in a strongly seismic territory".

    However, said Vattani, "it doesn't only mean this, it also means speaking about resilience, imagination, creativity and this is present" in the space created by Abruzzo at the Italy Pavilion.

    Magnacca noted that it isn't only necessary to "consolidate relations that have already existed for over 50 years" between Italy and Japan but also to "make them grow".

    The Labour and Business Councillor said the week provided an occasion to show how "this territory is absolutely competitive and attractive for enterprises".

    In particular, Magnacca spoke about craftsmanship, "a sector in which the Japanese are very interested" and "we are certain the region can satisfy their interest and their curiosity".

    "For Japanese entrepreneurs" Abruzzo represents a "competitive territory in which to invest with the certainty of finding a safe region, a solid and strong region and a region offering great opportunities to all those who intend to create new employment", concluded Magnacca.

    The presence at Expo 2025 Osaka and the great participation of the public "makes us particularly proud because it gives us an indication of the knowledge and the promotion that a territory must have", stressed Verrecchia, the Brothers of Italy (FdI) whip in the regional council.

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