“Microalgae” has been chosen as the theme for the Farm Area of the Japan Pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025, an event anticipated to draw visitors from all over the globe. This is equal to Japan declaring to the world, “We will champion microalgae technology!”.
The microalgae technologies developed over the years by Chitose Laboratory Corp., the leader of MATSURI, have been recognized by the Japanese government, leading to CHITOSE being entrusted with technical supervision of the microalgae-related exhibition at EXPO 2025. We are deeply honored to accept this role and will carry it out with the utmost responsibility.
Future beyond the display window
Now, many of our colleagues are working tirelessly, pouring their efforts into developing microalgae-based products. While the Farm Area introduces the fascinating aspects and potential of microalgae through exhibits, in the Factory Area, we aim to take it a step further and create a space where visitors can imagine the incredible products made from microalgae, as well as to ponder how these innovations will shape our lives in the future.
It is truly rewarding to showcase our carefully cultivated microalgae and the products made from them, into which we have poured our hearts and souls, on the grand stage of the Expo. We invite you to visit the Japan Pavilion Factory Area and experience firsthand the future fueled by microalgae, beyond the display window.
Loosening a tight fist
The people we have worked with at MATSURI so far have been true experts—business leaders, specialists, and researchers—all of whom share a deep love for microalgae. What began as casual conversations among friends about the fascination with microalgae, has now transformed into the world-level manifestation through the incredible power of the Expo.
To be frank, people who are passionate about microalgae might seem a little eccentric to the rest of the world. There are still plenty of hurdles to overcome before this passion reaches a wider audience and becomes mainstream. But as we prepared for the Expo, our team began to reflect more deeply on how their research and development could help shape the future. That, in itself, is a huge achievement.
At the Japan Pavilion, we want to share with visitors a glimpse of something special—our unwavering belief that “microalgae will save the world”, a belief every member of MATSURI holds tightly in their fists. And now, by loosening this tight grip, we hope to let that passion flow outward, reaching and inspiring even more people.
Moving beyond fossil resources: entering the era of the circular bioeconomy
Extraction, processing, use, and disposal—this one-way system has become the norm in modern society. However, fossil resources are finite. If humanity is to continue thriving in the future, we must break away from this linear approach and shift toward a circular system, where resources are continuously reused and regenerated.
The key to this transformation lies in the abundant sunlight that shines down on Earth, as microalgae have the unique ability to harness this energy efficiently. Through photosynthesis, they capture solar energy and produce a variety of valuable substances that can be used to create fuel, plastics, food, cosmetics, medicine, and more. With the power of microalgae, we can build a system where materials, energy, and carbon dioxide continuously circulate, paving the way for a sustainable future.
To fully harness the potential of microalgae, Chitose Laboratory Corp., the leader of MATSURI, has established one of the world’s largest microalgae production facilities, CHITOSE Carbon Capture Central (C4),* in Malaysia. There, microalgae are cultivated on a large scale using the region’s intense equatorial sunlight and CO₂ supplied from a neighboring thermal power.
With the expertise and creativity of MATSURI’s partners, these microalgae are transformed into a variety of valuable products, such as fuel, food, and cosmetics. MATSURI brings together financial institutions, educational organizations, and local governments to help integrate microalgae-based solutions into society. At its core, MATSURI is a community dedicated to introducing photosynthesis into our society, making all our activities “circular”.
* This is the result of NEDO “Development of Production Technologies for Biojet Fuel Project”.
From the shadows to the sunlight
We have grown to love microalgae as if they were our own children, but for most people, they are just a green, slimy mess floating in water during… But the time has finally come for microalgae to shine, and the Expo is the perfect place to make it happen. I really hope everyone will take this chance to learn more and finally realize how incredible microalgae truly are!
[Overwhelming material production efficiency]
Microalgae are able to produce substances through photosynthesis more efficiently than terrestrial plants: their oil yield is more than twice that of palm oil, and their protein yield is over 16 times greater than that of soybeans.
[Grows with less water]
While one might assume that microalgae need a large amount of water because they grow in wet environments, in reality, they require far less water than traditional agriculture or livestock farming.
[No soil needed]
Microalgae can grow with just water and light, without the need for soil, thriving in deserts, wastelands, or abandoned farmland—places that are typically unsuitable for agriculture.
As food shortage is expected to become a serious issue worldwide in the coming era, microalgae hold tremendous potential. We hope the Expo will help many people discover the hidden gem that is microalgae and help pave the way for its crucial role in our society’s future. Just as microalgae thrive in sunlight, we hope they will flourish in the spotlight of the Expo, and one day, microalgae-based technologies will become an inseparable part of our everyday lives.
Positive cycle for a thousand of years to come
The keyword at the Japan Pavilion is “circulation.” However, let’s not stop there and take a moment to consider what a ‘positive cycle’ truly means. In order to maintain our health and create the things that sustain our daily lives, energy is essential. And the majority of that energy comes from sunlight. MATSURI aims to harness the power of microalgae to fully utilize sunlight and integrate it into society.
Unfortunately, even methods that may seem “environmentally friendly” at first glance often consume more resources than they yield, which is a common issue both in Japan and abroad. What is important is not simply circulation, but creating a positive cycle.
In fact, it is reassuring to know that there are many areas for improvement and things we do not yet know. Despite many uncomfortable truths in the world, such as the depletion of oil, the loss of forests, and food shortages, we have not run out of ideas on how to solve them. There is still so much humanity can do.
At this moment, it is still hard to say that microalgae is making a significant impact on our existence. However, with the Expo bringing them into the spotlight, we will be able to create more efficient, positive cycles thanks to the accumulation of individuals, resources, and technology. As a result, the cost of goods will decrease, products made from microalgae will become part of our everyday life, and we will be able to create a future independent from oil, where forests remain intact, and no one goes hungry.
Whether this future is possible or not, depends on how seriously we work on this project today. Perhaps this is Japan’s chance to regain strength after the so-called “the lost decades”. While we cannot yet claim that we will surely be secure for the next thousand years, one thing is certain: the present and the future are connected. I hope you will join us in witnessing how microalgae can transform the world in real time—and even more so, help us grow MATSURI together.
The Photosynthesis Revolution
The Industrial Revolution and the IT Revolution made their way into our textbooks as major turning points in history that reshaped the world. Thanks to the IT Revolution, the benefits of information technology did not stop at computers and cell phones, but extended into our everyday lives, supporting it through smartphones, household appliances, and infrastructure. The future we envision at MATSURI follows a similar structure. It is not about creating a single industry centered on photosynthesis, but rather a future where every industry is powered by it.
Our goal is to create a society where we can achieve sustainable prosperity without relying on petroleum. After all, no matter how sustainable something is, if it is not convenient, people will shy away from it. And let’s be honest – no one wants to give up on delicious food. That is why MATSURI is currently working hard to develop products with new values, such as cosmetics and plastic bottles that actually reduce carbon dioxide the more you use them.
Imagine a future where microalgae keep us full, beautiful, warm, and even power our jet planes! In such a future, a society is built on photosynthesis and people can enjoy prosperity in a sustainable way.
When we look back from that future, it would be amazing to say, “The explosive influence of microalgae started at the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo.” It could go down in history as the Japan-led Photosynthesis Revolution, following in the footsteps of the two mentioned earlier.
The display at the Japan Pavilion was brought to life with the support of leading Japanese companies, the partners of MATSURI. Through this exhibition, we hope visitors will realize that the vision of a future powered by microalgae is not just a dream of the microalgae enthusiasts, but a reality that is already within reach—just a pane of glass away!