Flashback: Japan Expo Paris... in Osaka!

Over the years, Japan Expo has become the unmissable event for fans of Japanese pop culture, both in France and internationally. Over time, a real bond of trust has formed between the festival and its Japanese guests.

And in April 2025, this bond reached a new milestone: this time, it wasn’t Japan coming to Japan Expo Paris, but Japan Expo Paris that flew out to meet Japan!

For two days, on April 26 and 27, Japan Expo Paris in Osaka took over two stages: MESSE and ARENA.
Around the MESSE stage, exhibitors recreated the unique vibe of the festival and so was the line up.
Total Japan Expo extravaganza! Live shows, special guests, pop culture galore... In short, everything we love, within Osaka!

• MIWA:
  A J-pop/folk rock singer-songwriter, she made her debut in 2010 while still a student. In 2012, her famous single “Hikarie” became a major hit. The following year, she made her first appearance on NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, one of the most famous Japanese music television programs.
• CHILD OF KAMIARI MONTH:
  Screening of the animated film that tells the story of a young girl who, after learning of her mother’s death, travels from Tokyo to Izumo. The story is inspired by Shimane’s Kamiarizuki, the month when the gods are said to be present. This work was shown throughout Japan during the Olympic year, was distributed worldwide via Netflix, and reached its finish line at the World Expo.

• "BATMAN NINJA" SPECIAL TALK SESSION:
  Batman becomes an anime with Warner Bros. Japan and the studio KAMIKAZE DOUGA (known for the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure openings)!
  Voice actors Koichi Yamadera (Batman, Beerus, Spike Spiegel) and Yuki Kaji (Robin, Eren Jaeger, Shoto Todoroki) will discuss the sequel to the 2018 film: Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League!
• KAMUI :
  KAMUI is a troupe of ‘Samurai Artists’ who combine the beauty of acting with martial arts to create an original style of samurai combat. Their leader, Tetsuro Shimaguchi, joined Quentin Tarantino’s KILL BILL Vol. 1 as an actor, fight scene choreographer, and actor trainer.

• NANASE AIKAWA :
  A J-pop and J-rock singer born in Osaka in 1975. She made her debut in 1995, and her total record sales exceed 12 million copies. In addition to her musical activities, she is also involved in writing novels and essays, as well as promoting traditional culture. A graduate of Kokugakuin University, she is currently studying folklore in the university’s graduate school. This year marks the 30th anniversary of her debut.
• YOUTH THEATRE JAPAN :
  Youth Theatre Japan trains young talent in every prefecture of Japan!
  Like a kind of cosplay-style youth Broadway, Youth Theatre Japan creates its own musicals by adding Japanese references. At Japan Expo Paris in Osaka, they performed ‘Osaka Masquerade’..

• MIKA KOBAYASHI :
  Mika Kobayashi don't lose her voice and became one with her audience!
  A long-time Japan Expo veteran, she is a singer-songwriter and the favorite vocalist of composer Hiroyuki Sawano. You’ve surely heard her without necessarily knowing her name: ‘Vogel im Käfig’ (Attack on Titan), ‘Before My Body Is Dry’ (Kill la Kill), or ‘Ego’ (Gundam Unicorn).
  She has performed the music for numerous anime and video games.

• NMB48 :
  An idol group produced by Yasushi Akimoto. They perform almost every day at the NMB48 Theater in Namba, Osaka, and their unique members are active in various media. They are the special supporters of the Osaka-Kansai Expo.

• FUGA MELODIES OF STEEL 3 :
  CC2 CEO Matsuyama presented Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3, with live performances by supporters Sera Amagi and Neontetra.

• CREATIVE TALK - TETSUO HARA, MASAYA ICHI & JEAN-FRANCOIS DUFOUR :
  Round-table discussion with the author of Fist of the North Star, the representative of Animareal, and the co-founder of Japan Expo. They exchanged views on their creative processes and their passion for the art of manga. The conversation also touched on their careers, the behind-the-scenes aspects of their creations, and Japan Expo.
• TAKUYA SUGIMOTO :
  Takuya Sugimoto is a Japanese singer and dancer born in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. In addition to being a member of the group BLACK IRIS, he gained recognition on TikTok with videos featuring the Kumamoto dialect and currently has over 1 million followers.
  He has big plans for his career and will soon appear in a film set to be released this fall.

• AIUCHI RINA :
  Debuted in 2000 and achieved breakthrough success with the opening theme for "Detective Conan."
  Made her first appearance at the 54th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen (Japan's prestigious year-end music show) in 2003.
  In recent years, actively performing at international music festivals and energetically expanding activities overseas.
• PANDA DRAGON :
  Formed in 2018, they successfully held their first concert at the Nippon Budokan in March 2025, and all of their music videos since their second single have received over 10,000 views on their first day of release on YouTube.
  In Japan, they are one of the most sought-after boys bands at the moment!
• CUTIE STREET :
  The group CUTIE STREET made their debut as part of ASOBISYSTEM’s idol project KAWAII LAB. in August 2024. This 8-member group consists of Risa Furusawa, Aika Sano, Kana Itakura, Ayano Masuda, Emiru Kawamoto, Miyu Umeda, Nagisa Manabe, and Haruka Sakuraba. The group’s concept is a gathering of ‘KAWAII MAKERS.’
  All members, from different ages and backgrounds, share their own unique brand of kawaii with the world.

HOLOLIVE PRODUCTION :
The phenomenon of virtual stars (VTubers) from Hololive, Hololive Indonesia, and Hololive English came together to present a one-of-a-kind closing show that electrified the audience.

• Featuring: Hoshimachi Suisei, Sakura Miko, Nakiri Ayame, Oozora Subaru, Usada Pekora, Shirogane Noel, Houshou Marine, Amane Kanata, Tsunomaki Watame, Kobo Kanaeru, Mori Calliope, Shiori Novella, Koseki Bijou, Nerissa Ravencroft, Fuwawa Abyssgard, Mococo Abyssgard.

SUMO Show : Activities on the MESSE stage began with a demonstration of authentic sumo wrestling. This sport was showcased in all its nobility, a clash of strength to kick off the festival!

Cosplay Show : Japanese cosplay had its moment in the spotlight. Japan Expo even went to Osaka to see it firsthand and roll out the red carpet for performances, costumes, and stage setups crafted with Japanese expertise!

Work with ENTRY!: ENTRY gave a voice to young people entering the workforce who are looking to turn their dreams into reality!

Ytv Animation : Ytv looked back on the many anime broadcast by Yomiuri TV, accompanied by the famous voice actors Junya Enoki (Yuji Itadori, Fugo Panacotta, etc.) and Taku Yashiro (Sanosuke, Gugu, etc.)!

Kannagi Rabbits: Kannagi Rabbits, from Osaka. Between tradition and modernity, they gave an original stage performance that combines Japanese culture with popular music.

Rough × Laugh: The name of this idol band is a play on words with 'rough' and 'laugh,' which are pronounced the same way in Japanese.
A performance that brought smiles to everyone, with one hell of a punch!

X＋ feat. RINA AIUCHI: X+ is a Japanese singer with a high, soothing voice and serves as a tourism ambassador for the city of Izumi. He will be performing a collaboration with RINA AIUCHI, a singer famous for one of the Detective Conan theme songs.

Wings of Artemis: A female band based on the concept of nine pillars who descend from the world of Greek mythology to the human world to bring 'love, courage, and friendship' to a world in chaos once every 100 years.

Just like its counterpart in France, Japan Expo Paris in OSAKA is a hub for a multitude of exhibitors, as diverse as they are captivating!
The setting of the Osaka World Expo provides the perfect backdrop for this event to showcase what makes Japanese culture shine both within its borders and internationally.

In addition to a JAPAN EXPO booth, highlighting the global reach of Japanese culture, the event featured sponsors such as Entry, SEGA, Otafuku, Nihon Wide Communication, and YTV Animation, as well as Miki’s traditional metallurgy and the latest pharmaceutical and automotive technologies.

• CLICK HERE TO ACCESS JAPAN EXPO PARIS IN OSAKA MAIN WEBSITE