TOKYO, Nov 29 (NHK) - Russia says it will withdraw from the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka. The Russian representative made the announcement at a general meeting of the Bureau International des Expositions in Paris on Tuesday.
The representative said there has been insufficient communication with the organizers, but did not elaborate further on the reason for the withdrawal.
The official spoke after Secretary General of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition Ishige Hiroyuki briefed the attendees on preparations for the event.
Russia's decision may be a reaction to responses by Japan and Western nations over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Japan's government said earlier this month that Mexico and Estonia withdrew from the 2025 Expo, while nine countries, including Denmark, expressed their intention to participate.
Russia's exit means 159 countries and regions are now expected to take part.
The BIE general assembly also voted to award the World Expo 2030 to Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh.
Source: ANNnewsCH