Osaka Expo: Over 1.3 Million Unused Tickets as Event Nears End

TOKYO, Sept 22 (Bernama-Kyodo) -- More than 1.3 million admission tickets for the World Exposition in Osaka remain unused with less than a month to go before the event ends on Oct 13, Kyodo news reported according to organiser data released Monday.

Visiting time slots are almost fully booked until the final day, raising concerns that some people may not be able to use their tickets.

The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition said it will not issue refunds in such cases.

The association said it had sold 21.86 million tickets by Friday, while total general visitors as of Saturday stood at 20.53 million.

As the event draws to a close, the expo site has become increasingly crowded, with daily visitors topping 200,000 since Sept 12. A record high of 221,576 people entered on Friday.

Cancellations of reservations and several thousand on-site tickets sold each day remain the last option for those hoping to attend the international event.

Jun Takashina, deputy secretary general at the association, said the body had “repeatedly urged people to visit early” and that the lack of available slots does not qualify for refunds.

Under association rules, refunds are allowed only in cases attributable to the organiser or in specific cases agreed by the body.

Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura told reporters he is in contact with the association adding, “It is important to grasp and disclose information on how many people purchased tickets and are struggling to make reservations.”

-- BERNAMA-KYODO