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World Spotlight on Osaka as Expo Opens After Half a Century

OSAKA - For the first time in 55 years, a World Expo has returned to Osaka, opening its doors to the public on Sunday under the theme 'Designing Future Society for Our Lives.'

Spanning 184 days, the Osaka-Kansai Expo will run through October 13th on Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay, bringing together 158 participating countries and regions. The event aims to present a vision for the future amid growing global divisions, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and human well-being.

Pavilions from around the world are showcasing the latest in technology, healthcare, and environmental solutions, while also highlighting their distinct cultural traditions. The Japan Pavilion, one of the most anticipated attractions, is expected to draw long queues, with many visitors eager to secure advance reservations.

An estimated 140,000 people visited the site on opening day, filling the venue with a festive atmosphere. Visitors were seen exploring exhibitions, taking part in interactive experiences, and enjoying performances across the sprawling Expo grounds.

Source: Television OSAKA NEWS

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Starbucks is considering selling a majority stake in its Japanese business, potentially valued at as much as $3 billion, or about 470 billion yen, as the U.S. coffee chain seeks to concentrate management resources on its struggling North American operations.

Japan's Halloween Jumbo Lottery went on sale nationwide on September 16, offering a combined top payout of 400 million yen for the first prize and its adjacent-number prizes.

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