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“Designing Future Society for Our Lives” is the theme of the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, which is being held from April 13 to October 13, 2025. The Expo presents how cutting-edge technologies under development in a variety of fields can solve challenges toward a future society. One of the main areas worth seeing provides a future image of energy. You can see and feel, in a tangible way, a wide range of the energy-related technologies and solutions that the Special Content articles have so far presented. We highly recommend that you visit the Expo 2025 to see for yourself how energy will be utilized in a future society. This article sheds light on must-see displays focusing on solar energy and hydrogen energy.

Solar-powered staff uniforms with solar cells on the back trialed at the Expo

One of the most promising technologies in solar energy is perovskite solar cells. Unlike conventional silicon-based solar cells, perovskite solar cells are thin, light and flexible and have attracted attention as a next-generation solar cell technology. Furthermore, the primary material for producing perovskite cells is iodine, for which Japan has the second largest share (about 30%) of the global production. From these characteristics, perovskite solar cells are positioned as key to expanding renewable energy.

The smartwear* to be worn by staff members at some pavilion clearly shows the characteristics of perovskite solar cells. Film-type perovskite solar cells are attached to the back of the clothing to generate electricity to power wearable fans or charge smartphones.

*A product co-manufactured by Toyota Gosei Co., Ltd., EneCoat Technologies Co., Ltd., and Seiren Co., Ltd.

While airconditioned vests sold on the market can drive their fans for about four hours with a single charge, the smartwear with perovskite solar cells can last for longer, depending on the weather. We can imagine a future society where people can live comfortably in airconditioned environments at any time and place by wearing the smartwear, without fear of depleting the batteries of their smartphones and laptops.

In addition, the following technology related to solar energy will be on display:

The world’s largest installation of perovskite solar cells

The world’s largest perovskite solar power system, developed by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd., is installed at the Terminal 1 in front of the West Gate. Perovskite solar cells are placed on the curved surface of the roof of the bus shelter over 250 meters, and a large-scale demonstration is conducted to use the stored electricity for LED lighting at night.

For more details of perovskite solar cells, please refer to the following articles:

• Perovskite Solar Cells: The Key to the Future Expansion of Renewable Energy in Japan.
  Part 1: Differences from Conventional Solar Cells
• Perovskite Solar Cells: The Key to the Future Expansion of Renewable Energy in Japan.
  Part 2: Efforts toward Early Public Implementation

Physically experience clean energy by cruising on the sea! Take a ride on Japan’s first hydrogen fuel cell ship Mahoroba for access to the Expo site.

The hydrogen fuel cell ship Mahoroba is a showpiece of hydrogen energy. It cruises between the Expo venue Yumeshima, Universal City Port, and, eventually, Nakanoshima in the center of Osaka City. The ship has been developed by Iwatani Corporation as the first passenger boat powered by a hybrid system combining fuel cells and storage batteries.

The fuel-cell system uses hydrogen and oxygen in the air without emitting CO2 and other hazardous substances during operation. The drive system also minimizes engine noise and vibrations and emits no fuel odors. You can feel the value of hydrogen through the smooth and pleasant ride.

Hydrogen energy is crucial toward achieving carbon neutrality. In the field of shipping, which requires a large amount of energy, hydrogen will play an important role toward decarbonization. Mahoroba, with a capacity of 150 passengers, makes five roundtrips a day. It offers comfortable access to the Expo venue and provides you with a great opportunity to appreciate a future image of decarbonized shipping.

Other displays related to hydrogen energy will be as follows:

Hydrogen supply chain model

In order to accelerate the public implementation of hydrogen energy, a supply chain must be built encompassing the stages of production, transport, and utilization. A model for a hydrogen supply chain is on display at the NTT Pavilion and the Panasonic Group Pavilion. Clean hydrogen is produced at the NTT Pavilion by solar power generation, and some of the hydrogen is transported to the Panasonic Group Pavilion via a hydrogen pipeline. In this demonstration, electricity is generated and utilized at both pavilions.

Electricity supplied by hydrogen and ammonia power generation

Electricity demand at the Expo site is met partially by future types of electricity. Clean electricity derived from nuclear energy is supplied by the Kansai Electric Power Company to produce clean hydrogen in water electrolysis equipment manufactured by Kanadevia Corporation (formerly Hitachi Zosen Corporation). Then, the hydrogen is co-fired with fossil fuels (hydrogen co-firing thermal power generation). Furthermore, IHI Corporation is conducting a demonstration of ammonia mono-firing thermal power generation, aiming to contribute to the decarbonization of the Expo site by utilizing CO2 reduction results from the demonstration.

For more details, please refer to the following articles:

• Ammonia can be used as fuel!
  Part 1: Ammonia is commonly used in our daily life, but its potential is not widely known
• Ammonia can be used as fuel!
  Part 2: Carbon-free thermal power generation using ammonia

Booth for display and experience of hydrogen technologies

During the theme week from September 22 to 25, 2025, a booth for display and experience of hydrogen technologies will be open, in which more than 20 companies will participate to showcase cutting-edge hydrogen technologies. Hydrogen mobility such as a lunar rover utilizing hydrogen and a motorcycle with a hydrogen engine will be on display. Furthermore, a hydrogen carrier and power generation equipment will also be displayed for firsthand experience by visitors. Some of them, including the lunar rover utilizing hydrogen, will be on display not only during the theme week but also throughout the Expo period.

Divisions in Charge

About this article

Research and Public Relations Office, Commissioner’s Secretariat, ANRE
International Exhibitions Promotion Office, Commerce and Service Industry Policy Group, METI

About the Special Contents

Research and Public Relations Office, Commissioner’s Secretariat, ANRE