Osaka Expo's pavilions bustle despite below-target attendance

OSAKA -- The total number of people heading into the 2025 World Expo in Osaka surpassed 1 million on the event's 11th day but remains short of official targets, stoking concerns the fair could miss its ambitious visitor goals.

Guest numbers averaged 105,683 a day in the show's second week, which was up 16% from the first, according to data supplied by the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition. However, that was still 30% below the average of 150,000 visitors per day necessary to meet the organizers' total attendance target for the six-month event.