Japan welcomes Jordan’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka

AMMAN — Japan has welcomed Jordan’s decision to participate in the Expo 2025 Osaka, which will be held in Osaka, Japan, in April over six months.

Adviser to the minister of economy, trade and industry and Director of International Coordination Saburi Masataka stressed the importance of Jordan’s participation in the exhibition, which is one of the major economic events that will feature 160 countries.

Speaking to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, in Tokyo on Tuesday, Saburi noted that the expo presents an opportunity to enhance cooperation between Jordan and Japan, as well as with other participating countries, highlighting the mutual interest in boosting cooperation in the ICT sector.

He also noted that Jordan has a young population, while Japan has a low youth percentage, where this disparity creates a chance to agree on implementing and establishing joint projects.

“Expo Osaka”, organised in Japan every five years since 1970, attracts millions of visitors who come to explore the pavilions and events organised by millions of participants, including companies, governments and international organisations.

Saburi pointed out the need to expand economic cooperation between the two countries, especially since there are broad areas for collaboration. 

He also said that Japan’s exports to Jordan amount to $143.3 million, while Japanese imports from Jordan total $44.67 million.

Saburi stressed Japan’s commitment, mainly through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, to supporting Jordan through development projects.

He also referred to Japanese investments in various sectors in the Kingdom and discussed the challenges facing the Japanese economy and the measures Tokyo is implementing to address these challenges, noting that Japan’s economic growth rate currently stands at 1 per cent.

One of the significant challenges now is the decline in birth rates and the decreasing number of young people, with only 700,000 births last year and a population decrease of 830,000 compared to the previous year, Saburi said.

He added that the government is working on supporting families, encouraging childbirth and providing financial support, but there is still a trend towards not having children.

Saburi noted that the depreciation of the yen has impacted the economic growth in Japan, pointing out that companies importing from abroad pay in US dollars.

In response to a question, he mentioned that Japan’s unemployment rate is low, standing at less than 2.6 per cent, due to the decrease in the number of workers.