The World Expo in Osaka opens on Sunday, featuring over 160 countries and showcasing innovations like a Mars meteorite, a stem cell-derived beating heart, and quirky displays such as Hello Kitty in algae form. Despite the ambitious goal of promoting unity amid global conflicts, including Ukraine’s poignant “Not for sale” booth and Israel’s peace message, public enthusiasm is low, with only 8.7 million advance tickets sold compared to a target of 14 million. The event aims to address sustainability and connection while facing challenges like high accommodation costs and inflation impacting attendance.
