India to highlight space achievements at Osaka Expo

India will showcase its artistic heritage and advanced technology at the World Expo in Osaka, Japan, which opens in less than a month. The Indian pavilion will be shaped like a lotus, the country's national flower. Indian officials are concerned that Japan is not generating enough excitement for the event. India made headlines in 2023 when it became the first country to land an unmanned spacecraft near the moon's south pole. Currently, the Indian Space Research Organisation is collaborating with Japan's space agency, JAXA, on a lunar water exploration project. Both countries plan to enhance their cooperation during the upcoming Japan India Science Technology and Innovation Exchange Year in 2025. Initially, India intended to build its pavilion on its own, but due to rising material costs, Japan has taken over the foundation work. Interest in Japan is increasing, with a record 233,000 Indian tourists visiting in 2024. Japanese officials hope the expo will boost this trend. The Japan National Tourism Organization's Delhi office is promoting the expo through trade shows and social media, highlighting Osaka's attractions and the expo's mascot, Myaku-Myaku. However, Ryo Bunno, the head of the office, noted concerns from local travel agencies about the clarity of information for visitors compared to the last expo held in Dubai. He mentioned the goal of increasing visitors to Japan's regional areas after the expo.