Kansai University (Kandai), which has multiple campuses across Osaka Prefecture, established the “Cooperation and Promotion Project Team for EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai” to demonstrate its presence as a comprehensive university in the prefecture and is implementing various initiatives toward the EXPO.

As the only educational institution certified for the “Reborn Challenge*,” a support project for small and startup businesses within the exhibition and display zone of the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion, Kansai University plans to showcase numerous industry-academia collaboration initiatives.

*Reborn Challenge: A support project that discovers outstanding small and startup companies within Osaka Prefecture and effectively promotes their achievements not only during the EXPO period but also throughout the preparation phase and after the event, held at the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion.

Additionally, to contribute to realizing a “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” the project team is also involved in the participatory program “TEAM EXPO 2025.” As a “Co-Creation Partner” that generates and supports challenges, the team leverages the network unique to a historic comprehensive university to advance “Co-Creation Challenges” aimed at achieving a sustainable future.

Alongside these university efforts, the student community “Kandai EXPO Club” was established in 2023. In just one year since its launch, it has grown to a popular club with 170 members, each enthusiastically and positively working to energize the EXPO with their unique student perspectives while enjoying the experience.

What do the members belonging to the Kandai EXPO Club think about 2025? And what kind of projects are currently underway? We spoke with four club members and Rieko Kai, a university staff member who is the driving force behind the Kandai EXPO Club.

Making Their Presence Felt on Campus! The Birth and Current Status of the Kandai EXPO Club

The Kandai EXPO Club was launched in May 2023. Kansai University had already secured a spot to exhibit at the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion. However, at that time, Ms. KAI Rieko, who was involved in community collaboration at the Umeda Campus, felt uneasy about only the “adults” — faculty and staff — being involved in the EXPO.

Kansai University has a long-standing tradition of a lively and festive campus culture. The EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai is, in a sense, an international “festival.” We believed that if the students of Kansai University, located in Osaka, didn’t energize the event, then who would? With that in mind, we held the “EXPO University Kandai Campus” (hereafter, “EXPO University”) for students on April 23, 2023, to raise awareness about the EXPO and the university’s initiatives.

Although the number of students who would gather was unknown, EXPO University quickly filled all 60 spots. In addition to an explanation of the Reborn Challenge, alumni involved in the EXPO also took the stage.

Wanting to dispel the impression that the event was only for so-called “important people,” we invited upperclassmen who are familiar figures to the students to share their stories. Afterward, participants were divided into 10 teams to hold a workshop discussing what students can do to contribute to the EXPO.

Seeing the students freely sharing their ideas, KAI felt it would be a waste to let it end there and was very encouraged. Building on this foundation of EXPO University, the Kandai EXPO Club officially launched the following month. We asked current members what motivated them to join.

I wasn’t that interested in the EXPO itself, but I was drawn to the phrase on the EXPO University flyer: “If Kandai students don’t do it, who will?” As someone who wants to keep doing interesting things while I’m still a student, I thought it was a perfect fit for me.

Since my three years of high school were right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, the experience of brainstorming ideas together was completely new to me. It greatly changed my previous mindset of simply wanting to participate as a general visitor.

It was a time when many events were being canceled, right? How about the other two? What were their thoughts?

I participated in the 2005 Aichi Expo held in my hometown of Aichi Prefecture. I was still very young at the time and don’t remember much, but I felt a connection knowing a similar event would be held where I live now.

I originally obtained a drone pilot license and have been interested in “flying cars.” That said, the EXPO felt distant to students. When I heard the university’s announcement, I thought, “This is a chance!” and decided to join immediately.

I see—they each became interested from different perspectives. It’s been a year since the launch of EXPO University, the networking events, and the project team, and the desire to “take on new challenges inspired by the EXPO” is steadily taking shape. It’s truly encouraging!

The club, which started with just under 20 members, has now grown to a large group of 170. Currently, teams are carrying out projects aligned with the EXPO theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” They showcase their achievements at community events like the “Machi FUN Festival” on the Senriyama Campus and off-campus events such as the “EXPO TRAIN Hankyu.”

From International Exchange to Food Loss Reduction: Introducing Three Distinct Projects

So, what specific projects are currently underway in the EXPO Club?

1. “Emojication”: Overcoming Language Barriers with Emojis

Since Yumeshima, the EXPO site, will attract people from all over the world, language barriers will be a major challenge. To overcome this, the “Emojication Project,” or “Emopro” for short, was launched. The project aims to create a “language beyond language” using only emojis.

We are about 20 members developing new emojis to overcome cultural differences and setting rules similar to English grammar. We aim to create a tool that allows anyone in the world to easily communicate using combinations of emojis.

Inviting the World to the EXPO Using Emoji, Originating from Japan!

2. Building Connections Between People with “Kandai EXPO Craft Cola & Beer”

The “Kandai EXPO Craft Cola & Beer Project” aims to expand social connections by making beverages loved around the world. The craft cola recipe is simple: sugar combined with various spices, simmered, and mixed with carbonated water. Its broad appeal and the communication it fosters among members are key points. In May, they held a workshop for new students unsure which club to join, helping participants deepen their bonds.

Starting from cola, the project is also taking on craft beer brewing. Hops are grown on campus, serving as a green curtain covering the buildings. At the same time, the project aims to promote responsible drinking.

Let’s connect toward a hopeful tomorrow! The “Kandai Craft Cola Project”

3. Revitalizing Emergency Food to Reduce Food Loss: The “Small Bowl Bento” Project

The “Small Bowl Bento” project creates bento meals using recipes adapted from emergency food, aiming to reduce food loss and raise awareness of rolling stock. In collaboration with We Act, the Japan Emergency Food Promotion Organization, which has a partnership agreement with the university, they work to creatively use large quantities of emergency food nearing expiration from companies and local governments to make tasty meals.

The small bowl style was chosen because it allows people to enjoy a variety of foods without forcing themselves, even if they have dislikes. By combining different emergency foods and adding seasonings, they develop recipes that are tastier and minimize waste. At the Machi FUN Festival, they served 170 meals.

They are tackling the social issue of food loss with the goal of serving their self-developed bento meals at the EXPO site.

The “Small Bowl Bento” Project: Rolling Stock–Focused Meals Made with Emergency Food Adaptation Recipes

Achievements and Challenges Derived from Student-Led Projects

So, what kind of inspiration have these activities brought to the students? We asked them to share their honest feelings.

Let’s start with Emojication. Mr. ODAKA declared that the project would create a “language beyond language” to overcome language barriers. Where did that idea come from?

While brainstorming with everyone, I remembered communicating with my ALT teacher in high school using gestures and emojis. I knew that English-speaking countries had emoticons made from existing characters, but I also learned that emojis originated in Japan. That’s when I thought, “We have to make the most of this,” and that’s how it all started.

I see. What’s amazing about Emojication is that the students started the project from scratch. How did you step up along the way?

At first, in December last year at the Machi FUN Festival, we held a stamp rally for children. There, we experienced how communication could be achieved using only emojis. However, we also made unexpected discoveries, like some kids seeing the emoji meant to be a mailbox as a clock.

Those kinds of insights lead to the next steps, don’t they?

It’s all about repeated trials and experiments. At the EXPO TRAIN this April, we even had participants from China. I was genuinely happy that communication was successful using Emojication!

You’re steadily getting closer to your dream of delivering EXPO invitations created with Emojication to the world! Keep up the great work!

Yes! We’ll keep refining it further through discussions with our members.

How about the Craft Cola & Beer project?

The most attractive part is creating a product from scratch. I was also happy that it strengthened the bonds with my teammates!

As the members deepened their relationships, they created a delicious cola. The workshops at events were also lively and engaging!

Tasting the finished cola is fun, but natural conversations also arise during the trial process. The workshops were held to spread that excitement even further.

I got to taste it too, and it was truly delicious. I’d love to join a workshop as well!

Sounds great! How’s the craft beer side coming along?

We’re working hard to make craft beer using hops grown at Kansai University into a signature drink for the university. Since there are students under 20 here, we also aim to create synergy with the cola project. Our goal is to connect people across generations.

Even after leaving the university, being able to toast with beer made from hops you grew yourself—that’s truly wonderful! I hope this becomes a bridge between alumni and current students. Now, let’s move on to the Small Bowl Bento!

It’s really tough (laughs). We don’t know what or how much surplus food we’ll have until just before the event. About a month before, we find out the types and amounts of surplus items, and from there, we work backward to figure out how many servings of which menus we can provide.

From an outside perspective, it always seemed like the Small Bowl Bento team was constantly facing challenges (laughs).

How do you create the recipes?

We refer to online recipes but experiment and adjust our methods each time. Since we’re limited to the emergency food provided, we often have to come up with ideas on short notice. We all gather on campus and cook together.

Just as important as recipe adjustments is clearly defining each member’s role. This spring, we welcomed nearly 40 new members, and managing such a large group was a first-time experience full of trial and error. But I realized this is something you can’t experience in a typical student life.

Yeah, exactly—that’s part of the Kandai EXPO Club’s purpose: to keep trying and learning from mistakes. Now that the club has grown, I hope Kandai students—and as many people as possible—can share the excitement of the EXPO!

Towards 2025, Embodying “Kandai Students Are the Stars of EXPO”!

Up to this point, we’ve explored three projects. Now, with less than a year until the EXPO, new developments are emerging. One of the key initiatives is the “Kandai EXPO Weeks.” Beginning next year, projects focused on international exchange, uncovering local attractions, and merchandise development will be carried out both on campus and at the Yumeshima venue. A pre-event is set to launch this October.

One of the highlights of 2025, and the core of the Kandai Expo Weeks, will be the Kandai Expo Festa, scheduled for late June to early July and again in mid-to-late September. Open to everyone — not only students and pupils, but also alumni, local residents, and corporate partners — the event is being planned to make full use of the content developed by each of the Expo Club’s projects, such as Emogication, craft cola & beer, and emergency-food small-box lunches. In addition, the program will include a cola and beer toast event, as well as industry-academia collaboration experiences featuring cutting-edge technologies.

During the Expo itself, a “One-Day Kandai Day” is also planned at the TEAM EXPO Pavilion in the Yumeshima venue. By sending students to the Expo site and having them bring back the outcomes of their active involvement to campus, the aim is to share the unique excitement of this once-in-a-lifetime celebration with the entire university.

Thus, the Kandai Expo Club continues to gain momentum. Finally, we asked each of the members who joined the roundtable to share their determination for the main event of the Expo.

We will strive to build a team where every member, including the new ones, can proudly say, “We did it!”

I want to put my full effort into my studies while enjoying every moment to the fullest!

I want to make this Expo one that, when I look back on my student life as a working adult, I can say, “I’m glad I did it!”

The Expo being held close to home is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I want to enjoy it to the fullest without any regrets!

Everyone is so reliable! Let’s continue striving for a 2025 where we can proudly say, “Kansai University students are the stars of the Expo!”

The key phrase is, “Kansai University students are the stars of the Expo!” With the event just around the corner, the activities of the Kansai University Expo Club are set to accelerate further, bringing even more excitement to the Expo.

Text & Interview: Dekkao Sekine
Photography: Izumi Maeda
Planning & Editing: Ningen Editorial Team