【May 27】"Yasashiku Naritai. STUDIO": A New "Circular" Project Nurturing the Legacy of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai in Yokohama
Toho Leo Co., Ltd. announces the launch of "Yasashiku Naritai. STUDIO" at GREEN×EXPO 2027 in Yokohama, a circular project reusing the facade of the Panasonic Group Pavilion from Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. A kick-off event featuring Kundo Koyama and Yuko Nagayama will be held on May 27, 2026, with general admission applications starting May 8.
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- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 8, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 9, 2026 at 02:12 (15h 40m after Collected)
Toho Leo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Minoru Yoshikawa) has decided to hold a kick-off event on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at the historic building "Kudan House" (*1) to commemorate the launch of "Yasashiku Naritai. STUDIO," an exhibition Village at the "GREEN×EXPO 2027 (International Horticultural Exposition 2027)" which will open in Yokohama in March 2027. Applications for general participation (free, first-come, first-served) will begin on Friday, May 8.
(Reservation site: https://greenexpohop1.peatix.com/)
● A New "Circular" Project Nurturing the Legacy of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai in Yokohama
"Yasashiku Naritai. STUDIO," developed by Toho Leo at GREEN×EXPO 2027, inherits the concept of the Panasonic Group Pavilion "Nomo no Kuni" at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. It is a challenging endeavor to reuse (recycle) the iconic facade designed by Yuko Nagayama, circulating the architecture itself from Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai to the next exposition. In collaboration with the "AERA Yasashiku Naritai Project" led by Kundo Koyama, the project aims to realize a society where plants and architecture resonate, enriching the hearts of individuals.
Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai Panasonic Group Pavilion "Nomo no Kuni" Photo: OMOTE Nobutada
GREEN×EXPO 2027 "Yasashiku Naritai. STUDIO" Image
● Kundo Koyama, Yuko Nagayama, and others to speak. Hop seedling planting ceremony and special dialogue
On the day of the event, Kundo Koyama, Special Organizer of the "AERA Yasashiku Naritai Project," architect Yuko Nagayama, Keiko Kimura, Project Director, and Yutaka Mita of Toho Leo will take the stage. They will discuss the future of architecture and communities, and the vision depicted by this pavilion.
・Hop Seedling Planting Ceremony:
All speakers will plant hop seedlings (*2), which will symbolize the pavilion, to pray for the project's safety and success. (Photo session planned)
・Special Talk Session:
Theme: The Future of Architecture and Community envisioned by "Yasashiku Naritai. STUDIO"
・The trajectory of the "AERA Yasashiku Naritai Project" and Toho Leo's resonance
・The challenge of "moving architecture" - the era of pavilion reuse
・New experiences born at "Yasashiku Naritai. STUDIO"
・Networking Event:
Networking among speakers and participants
● Speaker Profiles
Kundo Koyama
Born in Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture in 1964. Began working as a broadcast writer while enrolled in the Department of Broadcasting, College of Art, Nihon University. Planned TV programs such as "Iron Chef" and "Canossa no Kutsujoku." Received the 32nd Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Screenplay and the 81st Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film for the film "Departures," for which he wrote the screenplay. In addition to writing, he serves as a project advisor for regions and companies. At Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, he is the theme project producer for the signature pavilion "EARTH MART," playing a role in shaping the Expo's theme, "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," into a visitor experience. He is also widely known as the creator of Kumamoto Prefecture's PR character "Kumamon." Special Editor-in-Chief of AERA "Yasashiku Naritai." in the January 12, 2015 enlarged issue. Appointed Special Organizer of the "AERA Yasashiku Naritai Project" from 2025.
Yuko Nagayama
Born in Tokyo in 1975. After working at Jun Aoki & Associates, established Yuko Nagayama and Associates in 2002. Major works include "Teshima Yokoo House," "Japan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai," "Tokyu Kabukicho Tower," and at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, "Women's Pavilion" and "Panasonic Group Pavilion 'Nomo no Kuni'." Awards include JIA Newcomer Award (2014), Yamanashi Prefecture Architectural Culture Award, Tokyo Architecture Award Excellence Award (2018), Lighting Design Award Grand Prize (2021), WAF Highly Commended (2022), IF Design Award (2023, 2026), and the 76th Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Art Encouragement Prize for New Artists. Projects such as "Torch Tower" are currently underway. Author of "From Architecture to Story."
Keiko Kimura
Joined Asahi Shimbun Company in 1999. Covered police and administration in Niigata and Chiba bureaus. Joined AERA editorial department in 2004, covering a wide range of topics including lifestyle, women, childcare, education, work styles, and generational gaps. Became Deputy Editor from 2014 after giving birth to her first child. After giving birth to her second child, she joined the Medical and Health editorial department. From April 2018, she served as Deputy Editor of AERA and Editor-in-Chief of Junior AERA. From April 2021, she also served as Editor-in-Chief of AERA with Kids. After serving as Editor-in-Chief of AERA from April 2022, she is now in her current position as Director of the "AERA Yasashiku Naritai Project."
Yutaka Mita
Toho Leo Co., Ltd. GREEN×EX
(Reservation site: https://greenexpohop1.peatix.com/)
● A New "Circular" Project Nurturing the Legacy of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai in Yokohama
"Yasashiku Naritai. STUDIO," developed by Toho Leo at GREEN×EXPO 2027, inherits the concept of the Panasonic Group Pavilion "Nomo no Kuni" at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. It is a challenging endeavor to reuse (recycle) the iconic facade designed by Yuko Nagayama, circulating the architecture itself from Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai to the next exposition. In collaboration with the "AERA Yasashiku Naritai Project" led by Kundo Koyama, the project aims to realize a society where plants and architecture resonate, enriching the hearts of individuals.
Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai Panasonic Group Pavilion "Nomo no Kuni" Photo: OMOTE Nobutada
GREEN×EXPO 2027 "Yasashiku Naritai. STUDIO" Image
● Kundo Koyama, Yuko Nagayama, and others to speak. Hop seedling planting ceremony and special dialogue
On the day of the event, Kundo Koyama, Special Organizer of the "AERA Yasashiku Naritai Project," architect Yuko Nagayama, Keiko Kimura, Project Director, and Yutaka Mita of Toho Leo will take the stage. They will discuss the future of architecture and communities, and the vision depicted by this pavilion.
・Hop Seedling Planting Ceremony:
All speakers will plant hop seedlings (*2), which will symbolize the pavilion, to pray for the project's safety and success. (Photo session planned)
・Special Talk Session:
Theme: The Future of Architecture and Community envisioned by "Yasashiku Naritai. STUDIO"
・The trajectory of the "AERA Yasashiku Naritai Project" and Toho Leo's resonance
・The challenge of "moving architecture" - the era of pavilion reuse
・New experiences born at "Yasashiku Naritai. STUDIO"
・Networking Event:
Networking among speakers and participants
● Speaker Profiles
Kundo Koyama
Born in Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture in 1964. Began working as a broadcast writer while enrolled in the Department of Broadcasting, College of Art, Nihon University. Planned TV programs such as "Iron Chef" and "Canossa no Kutsujoku." Received the 32nd Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Screenplay and the 81st Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film for the film "Departures," for which he wrote the screenplay. In addition to writing, he serves as a project advisor for regions and companies. At Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, he is the theme project producer for the signature pavilion "EARTH MART," playing a role in shaping the Expo's theme, "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," into a visitor experience. He is also widely known as the creator of Kumamoto Prefecture's PR character "Kumamon." Special Editor-in-Chief of AERA "Yasashiku Naritai." in the January 12, 2015 enlarged issue. Appointed Special Organizer of the "AERA Yasashiku Naritai Project" from 2025.
Yuko Nagayama
Born in Tokyo in 1975. After working at Jun Aoki & Associates, established Yuko Nagayama and Associates in 2002. Major works include "Teshima Yokoo House," "Japan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai," "Tokyu Kabukicho Tower," and at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, "Women's Pavilion" and "Panasonic Group Pavilion 'Nomo no Kuni'." Awards include JIA Newcomer Award (2014), Yamanashi Prefecture Architectural Culture Award, Tokyo Architecture Award Excellence Award (2018), Lighting Design Award Grand Prize (2021), WAF Highly Commended (2022), IF Design Award (2023, 2026), and the 76th Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Art Encouragement Prize for New Artists. Projects such as "Torch Tower" are currently underway. Author of "From Architecture to Story."
Keiko Kimura
Joined Asahi Shimbun Company in 1999. Covered police and administration in Niigata and Chiba bureaus. Joined AERA editorial department in 2004, covering a wide range of topics including lifestyle, women, childcare, education, work styles, and generational gaps. Became Deputy Editor from 2014 after giving birth to her first child. After giving birth to her second child, she joined the Medical and Health editorial department. From April 2018, she served as Deputy Editor of AERA and Editor-in-Chief of Junior AERA. From April 2021, she also served as Editor-in-Chief of AERA with Kids. After serving as Editor-in-Chief of AERA from April 2022, she is now in her current position as Director of the "AERA Yasashiku Naritai Project."
Yutaka Mita
Toho Leo Co., Ltd. GREEN×EX