Belgrade Expo: One Year to Go - Japan Pavilion Logo Unveiled

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) are proceeding with preparations for the Japan Pavilion at the 2027 Belgrade International Exposition (hereinafter, 'Belgrade Expo'), to be held in Belgrade, Republic of Serbia, from Saturday, May 15, to Sunday, August 15, 2027. We are pleased to announce that on Friday, May 15, 2026, marking one year until the opening, the logo and symbol mark for the Japan Pavilion have been decided. The theme of the Japan Pavilion at the Belgrade Expo is 'Playful Connections, Japanese Asobigokoro.' As the host country of the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, this pavilion is positioned to inherit and further develop the themes and concepts of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, such as 'Designing Future Society for Our Lives' and 'Unity in Diversity,' as its legacy. The logo and symbol mark were selected as the design that most symbolically expresses the values and messages communicated by the Japan Pavilion under the Belgrade Expo's theme of 'Play'. ■ The world connects through Kirigami. The Japan Pavilion logo and symbol mark are complete. This logo and symbol mark is a 'kirigami flower' born from a single piece of paper. Kirigami is a traditional Japanese 'play' that can be shared regardless of age, gender, country, or language, with just paper and scissors. What seems separate is actually connected, emerging as a new form. Its structure symbolizes the Japan Pavilion's theme of 'Playful Connections.' At the Japan Pavilion, 'play' is seen as a clue to gently overcome divisions and connect people. This logo is a visualization of that idea. International expositions have played an important role as a platform for young creators to showcase their creativity and ideas to the world, including the participation of young architects in the design of facilities at the Osaka-Kansai Expo. The Japan Pavilion at the Belgrade Expo will also carry on this tradition. The newly announced logo and symbol mark for the Japan Pavilion were created by graphic designer Ikki Kobayashi, a promising talent selected through a nomination-based design competition. Fold origami, make a cut with scissors, and create a flower. With just one piece of paper, even if you don't speak the same language, you can take someone's hand and show them. You can share the small wonder of unfolding a small piece of paper. It's okay for everyone to be different. It's okay for me to be me. I hope this becomes a catalyst for everyone to get along. Graphic designer. After graduating from the Department of Graphic Design at Tama Art University, he worked at Shiseido Co., Ltd. before going independent. He is a part-time lecturer at Joshibi University of Art and Design and Tama Art University. ■ Inheriting the legacy of the Osaka-Kansai Expo to the Belgrade Expo Japan Pavilion Taking the opportunity of exhibiting at the Belgrade Expo Japan Pavilion, the social media accounts of the Osaka-Kansai Expo Japan Pavilion will be reborn as the official information-disseminating account for future Japan Pavilions at international expositions. Furthermore, the general production team for the Belgrade Expo Japan Pavilion brings together creators who participated in the 2015 Milan Expo, the 2021 Dubai Expo, and the 2025 Japan World Exposition (Osaka-Kansai Expo), and they are currently preparing the Japan Pavilion. Specific exhibition plans for the Japan Pavilion will be announced sequentially through social media, press releases, and other channels. X (formerly Twitter) Japanese: https://x.com/japanpavilion_j English: https://x.com/japanpavilion_e Instagram https://www.instagram.com/expo2025_japanpavilion/ Overview of the Belgrade International Exposition https://expobelgrade2027.org/en/intro About the Japan Pavilion Theme https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2025/10/20251027003/20251027003.html