The cumulative number of visitors to the Osaka-Kansai Expo in Japan, which initially faced concerns over lackluster attendance, surpassed the break-even point of 18 million just about four months after its opening.
According to Jiji Press on August 12, the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition announced the previous day that, as of August 8, a total of 18.09 million tickets had been sold. The Osaka Expo, which opened on April 13, saw sluggish ticket sales in its early days, raising fears that the event could end in deficit. However, the number of visitors gradually increased over time.
The association held a ceremony on June 29 to celebrate reaching 10 million visitors, which occurred faster than expected. Initially, the association had set a goal of selling 23 million tickets by the closing date of October 13.
The total operating cost of the Osaka Expo is estimated at 116 billion yen (approximately 1.087 trillion won), with ticket sales expected to cover 96.9 billion yen of that amount. However, an association official explained that costs could rise above initial projections, and if inclement weather prevents normal operations, the event could incur daily losses of 600 million yen.
An association official stated, "Selling 18 million tickets is just a milestone," adding, "It is still too early to confirm that this Expo will turn a profit."
The Expo, held on the artificial island of Yumeshima west of Osaka under the theme "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," will host participants from 158 countries and international organizations over a six-month period.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
