I was born and raised in Osaka, and I still live here because I love it so much. I only go to my regular spots in my hometown, and I want our pro wrestling organization to be like a “regular spot” for people too. That’s why I wanted to make the event at the Expo—which will boost Osaka’s economy—a reality. I want to energize my hometown through Osaka Pro Wrestling, and I want people from all over the world who come to the Expo to see what we do. That strong desire is what led to this goal. So when it was decided that we’d have a match at the Yumeshima venue on May 6th and 7th, 2025, I was absolutely thrilled.

It all started with submitting an application through the website, then visiting the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition to introduce ourselves, joining the bottom-up participatory program TEAM EXPO—basically, we did everything we possibly could. We also entered into agreements with municipalities within Osaka Prefecture and worked on promoting both the Expo and pro wrestling. After persistent effort, when people like Director Tomonori Yasono of the Expo Promotion Bureau and other Expo officials came to watch an Osaka Pro Wrestling match, everyone’s reaction was, “This is amazing!” From there, it felt like things quickly moved toward getting the official nod. That moment was the best feeling ever.

We are committed to being deeply rooted in the local community. That’s why we hold so many matches at places like Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, Osaka Castle Park, Tsurumi Ryokuchi, Nagai Park, and shopping malls. It’s crucial to expand our reach beyond just pro wrestling fans by holding matches in places where lots of different people come. Since I became president of Osaka Pro Wrestling, I’ve connected with various shopping street associations and hold matches with the hope of energizing local shopping streets.

Yes. In 2024, we held a match at Osaka Castle Park, and about 28,000 people came. When we organize an event at a large outdoor venue like Osaka Castle Park, we run it with the stall fees collected from vendors, and on sunny days, it’s packed and the vendors are really happy. We feel a real sense of accomplishment too.

I think our number of matches and attendees per year is pretty remarkable even in the Japanese pro wrestling world! That’s because we hold so many events in places everyone passes through, like shopping streets, malls, and parks. When we put on big shows, we really feel that our local activities help raise the group’s profile and boost ticket sales.

Since we wanted to energize the Expo, we decided to create a character with that in mind. At first, we thought about making Myakumyaku (the Expo mascot) a wrestler, but that idea was quickly rejected (laughs). That’s how Osaka Expo Machine was born. Through a local politician, we told the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, “We want to create a character called Osaka Expo Machine,” and once we got permission, he made his debut.

We want to deliver Osaka Pro Wrestling as we always do. We’re planning for two days, May 6 and 7, but depending on the response, we may add more matches. We’re planning five matches each day, but that could increase, and we might invite guest wrestlers as well. Still, we have to create the unique Osaka Pro Wrestling world, full of laughter, tears, and emotion, and get people to appreciate it. I hope the Expo will be a catalyst for excitement in the pro wrestling world too.

The EXPO Arena is huge—50 meters wide and 2 meters high. The central LED screen is 15 meters wide, and the side LED screens are each 11.5 meters wide. The scale is just massive. The entire area is covered in grass, making for a spectacular view. There aren’t many outdoor venues like this.

It’s been 55 years since the Osaka Expo in 1970, and now the Expo will be held in Osaka again. This Expo is sure to create a big wave, and Osaka Pro Wrestling wants to ride that wave. We sincerely wish for the Expo’s success, so we’ll keep promoting the Expo at the match venues as well.

I really relate to Machi-goto Expo’s attitude of “let’s liven up the Expo on our own.” Having fought in the city, I feel a strong connection to that. If the city and the Yumeshima venue can circulate well, Osaka and Japan will surely become even more vibrant. For example, it’s great if people come to the Yumeshima venue just to see Osaka Pro Wrestling, or if someone happens to pass by, discovers Osaka Pro Wrestling, and becomes a fan. As one of the contents that make up a festival where people can experience cultures from around the world, we’ll fight with all our might. Let’s all work together to make this a festival like no one has ever seen before!