In May 2025, a unique and touching moment took place at Expo 2025 Osaka: 25-year-old Fumiya Takenawa arrived with a ticket from the international exposition originally scheduled in 1940 but postponed indefinitely due to the escalation of the Second Sino-Japanese War.

The story of the “phantom” 1940 Expo

The 1940 event, officially called the “2600 Japan International Exposition” based on the Japanese imperial calendar, was planned mainly for Tokyo but never held. Tickets issued for this event have survived and were even accepted at later expos, including the famous 1970 Osaka Expo.

A ticket as a bridge through time

Fumiya Takenawa, a company worker from Tokyo’s Suginami Ward and an expo memorabilia enthusiast, purchased a “phantom expo” ticket online in March 2025 and wondered if it could be used at the current event. Organizers confirmed that if the ticket was genuine and met requirements, it could be exchanged for a day pass.

“It’s my first Expo, and it’s an honor to be part of history,” Fumiya said. “Expos are bridges of peace. After 85 years, I hope this event clears the regrets of those who couldn’t attend the 1940 expo they must have been looking forward to.”

In 1938, approximately one million ticket booklets were sold, each containing 12 tickets priced at 10 yen — roughly $118 in today’s value. For Expo 2025, each unused booklet can be exchanged for two adult day passes while the booklet remains with the owner.

This article is based on the detailed report from Mainichi Japan. We thank them for the information