News On Japan

Vietnam Pavilion Opens 17 Days Late

OSAKA, Apr 30 (News On Japan) - Vietnam’s national pavilion finally opened on April 30th -- 17 days behind schedule -- after delays in exhibit preparations kept it closed during the April 13th launch of the Osaka-Kansai Expo.

The pavilion, classified as a "Type B" facility—meaning it is a standalone exhibition space rented from the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition—missed the April 13th opening due to delays in exhibit preparations.

Spanning 300 square meters, the pavilion employs modern exhibition technologies such as holograms, virtual reality, and digital mapping to present the nation's history, culture, and development vision. ​

bizhub.vn

Designed as a cultural gateway, the pavilion tells the story of a dynamic, inclusive, and sustainable Vietnam rooted in strong human values. Visitors can explore displays featuring traditional crafts, the iconic five-paneled Áo Dài (Vietnamese long dress), and performances of Huế traditional music. The pavilion also dedicates space to celebrate 52 years of diplomatic relations with Japan, showcasing symbols of bilateral friendship. ​

bizhub.vn

In addition to cultural exhibits, the pavilion highlights Vietnam's commitment to sustainable development and innovation. A special video celebrating key national milestones is screened during major holidays, and provinces across Vietnam take turns showcasing their economic and tourism potential, offering international visitors new partnership opportunities. ​

bizhub.vn

The Vietnam Pavilion is located in the Empowering Lives Zone and will be open to visitors until the conclusion of the Expo on October 13, 2025.

Source: Kyodo

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on May 30th that his administration plans to double the current tariffs on imported steel and aluminum to 50 percent. Speaking at a plant owned by major American steelmaker U.S. Steel, Trump declared that the existing 25 percent tariff on steel imports would be raised to 50 percent starting June 4th. The same rate will also apply to aluminum products, with the measure expected to affect exporters globally.

Amid mounting financial strain and work reform policies, Japan’s university hospitals are struggling to maintain the quality of their medical research, threatening the future of healthcare in the country. A recent survey of approximately 3,000 physicians working in university hospitals revealed that 60% spend less than five hours a week on research, with 22% reporting zero research time. The main reason: they are simply too busy with clinical duties to conduct research.

Mako Komuro, the eldest daughter of the Akishino family and now living in the United States, has given birth to her first child, the Imperial Household Agency announced on May 30th. The agency stated that the birth was disclosed during a press conference after some media reports surfaced, despite their intention to allow Komuro to live in a quiet environment following her departure from the Imperial family.

Akie Abe, widow of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, visited the Kremlin on May 29th and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the meeting, Akie was seen tearfully listening to Putin’s words, reflecting the emotional nature of their exchange. Following the conversation, she was invited to ride in Putin’s official limousine to the Bolshoi Theatre, where the two attended a ballet performance together.

A gas cylinder recovered from the scene of an explosion in Tokyo’s Edogawa Ward bore a stamp indicating it was manufactured in November 1964, according to investigative sources. The blast, which occurred on May 27th at a construction site, injured 10 people.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Travel NEWS

Okinawa Prefecture announced during a meeting with the tourism industry on May 27th that it is aiming for its annual tourism revenue to exceed 1 trillion yen for the first time in fiscal 2025, and plans to introduce a lodging tax during fiscal 2026.

A 20-year-old man who went missing while attempting to swim across Hakata Bay from Nokonoshima Island to the mainland was found in the water and later confirmed dead.

A British couple in light clothing was rescued from Mount Yotei in Hokkaido on May 13th, after sending an SOS due to the cold. The incident has reignited concern over poorly prepared climbers, especially foreign visitors, as mountain guides emphasize the need for greater awareness of hypothermia risks, particularly in northern Japan.

Naha is the gate city for Okinawa vacation. It's not a place with beautiful beaches, but it's great base for traveling across Okinawa main island and other islands. Naha also has charm that you can explore, without getting a rental car. (Tokyo Kenchan)

The city of Sapporo announced that this year's Lilac Festival, which concluded on May 25th, drew a record-breaking 769,000 visitors.

While working as a civil servant in Sapporo, Mitsuhiko Kamata spent decades capturing the natural beauty of Hokkaido through his lens. Now, having taken early retirement after 35 years, he has dedicated himself full time to pursuing the fleeting, miraculous moments found in nature—moments he believes must rise to the level of art to truly move the viewer.

At the Osaka-Kansai Expo, the common Japanese practice of leaving one side of the escalator open for those in a hurry is quietly disappearing. Instead, both visitors and commuters are increasingly adopting a two-row standing system, both at the venue and nearby Yumeshima Station.

The second day of the Soma Nomaoi festival—designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the Japanese government—featured its most anticipated spectacles: the armored horse race and the sacred flag competition, held on May 25th at the Hibarigahara festival grounds in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture.