Osaka Expo legacy: The evolution of symbols and characters

The legacy of the Osaka Expo is reflected in its distinct visual identities, ranging from the 1970 event to the recent 2025 Expo. In 1970, the event lacked an official mascot in the modern sense. Instead, the Tower of the Sun, an artistic work by Taro Okamoto, served as the central symbol of the exhibition. The tower, which stands approximately 70 meters tall, features three faces representing the past, present, and future.

In contrast, the 2025 Expo featured Myaku-Myaku, an official character that has continued to maintain a presence in public life even after the event concluded. While initially met with mixed reactions regarding its appearance, the character has achieved a level of cultural integration, appearing in daily life through merchandise and public sightings, a phenomenon described as the character becoming “wild” by moving from the exhibition grounds into the community.