Thank You, Life – A Journey Through the Pasona Group Pavilion at Expo 2025

Osaka, June 2025

Stepping into the Pasona Group’s “NATUREVERSE” Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka was more than just a walk through an exhibition—it felt like a deep, almost spiritual experience. From the very first moment, the theme "Thank You, Life" enveloped me in its message of gratitude—not just for people, but for the entire ecosystem we are part of.

A Spiral Through Time and Existence

The architecture itself set the tone. Inspired by the spiral shape of ammonites, the pavilion beautifully symbolized the evolution and resilience of life. As I walked beneath the towering forms of the Ammonite Pavilion and Conch Pavilion, I was struck by the poetic way the spiral—from ancient fossils to cosmic forms to DNA—was used to represent continuity and transformation. And sitting atop the pavilion, Astro Boy, a childhood icon now reimagined as Neo Astro Boy, pointed toward Awaji Island, where the Pasona Group continues to reshape lives through sustainable development.

Being Guided by Icons and Ideals

Inside, I was welcomed by the virtual presence of Neo Astro Boy and Black Jack, iconic characters brought to life by Tezuka Productions. Black Jack—stationed in the Body Zone—introduced me to the mind-blowing potential of future medical science. It wasn’t just about robotics or flashy screens; it was about understanding the soul of innovation. His question, “What is life?”, echoed through every section of the pavilion.

The Tree of Life: An Evolutionary Chronicle

The Tree of Life installation was one of the most profound parts of my visit. Walking beneath its roots and into its trunk, I was guided through the layers of life’s history—from the flicker of microbial existence to the invention of the internet and into speculative futures where humanity must once again find its place in balance with nature. Layer 10—“5 Billion Years Later”—left me in silent awe. A future where the sun swallows the Earth, and yet, life begins again. It wasn’t depressing; it was beautifully cyclical.

Exploring the Future of Medicine and the Human Experience

In the iPS Heart Memorial Museum, I witnessed the future of regenerative medicine—a living, beating heart cultivated from iPS cells. Developed by Dr. Yoshiki Sawa, it represented hope in the most literal sense. Nearby, in the Future Medical Care Zone, I took part in an interactive guidewire surgery simulation and glimpsed concepts like self-propelling micro-robots and flying operating rooms. The idea that medical help could one day reach anyone, anywhere, was both futuristic and deeply human.

Sleep, Health, and the Future Me

One of the most surprisingly immersive areas was the Future Sleep exhibit. Lying down on a concept bed with built-in sensors simulating personalized sleep tracking gave me insight into how our well-being might soon be monitored and enhanced by data. Moving on to the Future Me zone, I got to experience how wearable cyborgs like HAL could support aging bodies and remote-controlled robots could redefine how we live and work—free from the constraints of geography.

Microbial Galaxies Beneath Our Feet

The Wonder Earth exhibit was a sensory journey underground. With lights, smells, and sounds mimicking the rich, unseen life of soil microbes, it reminded me how often we overlook the smallest contributors to life. I found myself whispering a silent thank you to the microorganisms that support our bodies and soil.

Hope for Tomorrow

Before leaving, I watched the short movie “The Birth of Neo Astro Boy”—a stirring tale of sacrifice, rebirth, and courage. The message was clear: the future is uncertain, but in unity, technology, and compassion, we can find purpose. The NATUREVERSE Show that followed tied everything together, asking us, What kind of world do we want to create?

Final Reflections: Gratitude Beyond Words

I stepped out of the pavilion not just impressed, but moved. The NATUREVERSE wasn’t about technology alone; it was about humanity reconnected to nature, filled with respect for the past and hope for the future. It left me thinking—not just about how far we’ve come, but how we can grow, together.

If you visit Expo 2025, make time for this pavilion. Whether you're a technophile, a dreamer, or simply a human being in awe of life—this space will speak to your soul.

Thank you, Pasona Group. Thank you, Life.

Sharing key excerpts from Pasona Group Founder Yasuyuki Nambu’s message on the inspiration behind exhibiting a pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.

"In 2025, the year of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, Pasona Group enters the 50th year since its foundation. With the corporate philosophy of providing "Solutions to Society's Problems" unchanged since our founding, we have taken on many challenges.

What is "society's problem" in the present age, if not "health"? Health of the body, health of the mind, and health of society. A "society of well-being" is comprised of these three components, and is the future for which we strive. Dr. Yoshiki Sawa, a leading figure in the field of regenerative medicine using iPS cells, shares this feeling. Meeting Dr. Sawa is what led me to decide to exhibit a pavilion at the Osaka, Kansai Expo.

Nothing is more important for "health of the body" than food. Human health is sustained by food cultivated in rich soil under the bounty of the sun. Should we not be more caring and grateful for nature, and strive to restore its richness?

This is why the concept of our pavilion is "Thank You, Life.", and the name is 'PASONA NATUREVERSE'."