The Philippine Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka has impressed Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, who praised its popularity during his visit to the Philippines on April 29. In just 16 days since opening, the Pavilion has welcomed over 81,000 visitors.
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Prime Minister Ishiba met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco at Malacañang Palace. During the bilateral meeting, President Marcos congratulated Japan on the successful opening of the Expo and shared his pride in the Philippine Pavilion.
Prime Minister Ishiba said, “The [Filipino] Pavilion is becoming a popular destination for visitors. So, I also look forward to welcoming you to visit the Osaka Expo soon.”
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He also looked ahead to the Philippine National Day celebration at the Expo, scheduled for June 7. “I hope that many Filipinos will come to visit the Kansai Exposition, and also other districts in Japan as well,” he said.
The Philippine Pavilion opened on April 13 and reached 81,227 visitors by April 28. It features the theme “Nature, Culture, and Community: Woven Together for a Better Future.”
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Visitors experience Filipino heritage through:
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Dancing with Nature, a digital installation transforming guests into elements of nature
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Live cultural shows by artists from the Cultural Center of the Philippines
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A Hilot Wellness Space for traditional healing
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A Pavilion façade made with 212 handwoven fabrics from across the Philippines
More features are coming soon, including the Habi Gift Shop, Hain Takeout food kiosk, and the Pavilion mascot Kokoro-chan.
DOT Secretary Frasco expressed gratitude for the Japanese Prime Minister’s remarks. “We are deeply heartened and inspired by the kind words of Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru on the Philippine Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka,” she said.
She reaffirmed the DOT’s goal to boost tourism and cultural exchange. “Japan has long been one of the Philippines’ most valued tourism partners and a consistent top source of visitors,” she added.
Japan is currently the Philippines’ third-largest source of international arrivals, with 170,852 Japanese tourists visiting as of April 29, 2025.
The DOT leads the Philippine Organizing Committee for Expo 2025 under Administrative Order No. 7, signed by President Marcos in April 2023. The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines serves as the Secretariat.
As part of the country’s “Love the Philippines” campaign, the Pavilion is helping put Filipino culture on the world stage—one immersive story at a time.
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