This is a business brief by JETRO released on August 15, 2025, regarding the sale of reuse items from the Osaka-Kansai Expo.
Overview and System of Myaku Market!
Trees, air conditioners, benches, and other items used at the 2025 Japan International Exposition (Osaka-Kansai Expo) are being listed on the Expo Circular Market "Myaku Market!" This website is a platform to promote relocation and reuse of facilities, equipment, and tools used at the Expo and to facilitate matching with purchasers, accessible to everyone from local governments and companies to individuals for bidding participation.
Product Categories and Current Status
Reuse items are broadly divided into three categories: (1) Facility relocation targets the timber from the Grand Roof Ring and trees within the venue; (2) Building materials and equipment reuse has approximately 500 listings including official character "Myaku-Myaku" monuments, venue signage, toilets, benches, and air conditioners. The peak period for building materials and equipment listings is around August; (3) Tools and equipment are scheduled to begin public solicitation from around October, with small items such as desks planned for listing.
Comparison with International Examples and Significance
This initiative at the Osaka-Kansai Expo references the "zero waste" policy from the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics, where LED lamps, cushions, bedding, and other items were sold through the "remains of the games" website. According to the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, while reuse of equipment and supplies has been conducted at previous major domestic events, this is the first attempt to publicly solicit reuse destinations to the general public. As of August 14, facility relocation (Grand Roof Ring: July 31-August 21, trees: July 25-August 15) and building materials/equipment reuse (July 18 and July 28 solicitations) are currently being recruited.
The article demonstrates the creation of a new model case for resource circulation as a sustainable operational practice, utilizing examples from past international events.