Japan PM Ishiba Visits Osaka Expo Venue

Osaka, Jan. 19 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Sunday visited the venue of the 2025 World Exposition slated to be held in the western Japan city of Osaka for six months from April 13.

He exchanged opinions with Hirofumi Yoshimura, governor of Osaka Prefecture, on the progress in the construction of pavilions and other issues related to the event.

It is the first time for Ishiba to visit the Expo venue on the artificial island of Yumeshima since he took office last October.

Ishiba inspected a massive ring-shaped roof, one of the world's largest wooden structures and a symbol of the Expo, as well as a guesthouse that will welcome dignitaries from participating countries and regions and the Japan Pavilion, where the Japanese government will exhibit items and technologies from the host Asian country.

"We will make efforts with the Osaka prefectural and city governments and the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition for the success of the Expo," Ishiba told reporters.

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]