[Event Report] M-Live Katsu Vol. 2: “Summer Vacation SDGs Project! Nature Positive Program for the Earth and Future” Held at Osaka-Kansai Expo
At the Osaka-Kansai Expo, at the “Osaka Healthcare Pavilion Reborn Stage,” an experiential SDGs × biodiversity stage was held in collaboration with the “LIVE EARTH JOURNEY” Pavilion, produced by Shoji Kawamori.
— Children’s ideas and actions become the power to protect the future of the Earth —
On Thursday, August 14, 2025, the “M-Live Katsu Summer Vacation SDGs Project! Nature Positive Program for the Earth and Future”, co-hosted by TOPPAN Holdings Corporation and Tokyo Shoseki Co., Ltd., was held at the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion Reborn Stage at the Osaka-Kansai Expo.
This event was organized around the four themes of “M-Live Katsu”, promoted by Tokyo Shoseki: Practical Education, Active Learning, Technology × Nature, and Diverse Interactions. It aimed to give children—the future leaders of society—the opportunity to experience and express the concept of Nature Positive (biodiversity restoration) in their own voices.
<You can watch a video of the event here>
Talk Session on the Future with Special Guests
At the opening, Shoji Kawamori, producer of the signature pavilion “LIVE EARTH JOURNEY”, Masahiro Sato, professor at Digital Hollywood University, and Yosuke Kinugawa, CEO of baton Inc., took the stage. They discussed biodiversity and the future of learning, delivering a powerful message to attendees that “it is the children themselves who will protect the future.”
Panel Discussion: “Discovering the Creatures of the World!”
Next, in the session “Let’s Explore the Creatures of the World!” featuring wildlife photographer Hiroshi Takano, children were introduced to the diversity of life through animal photographs taken around the world. The young attendees watched the striking images on the screen with wide-eyed fascination, listening intently and learning about global biodiversity. Takano also presented a “Mysteries of Life Quiz,” in which the children eagerly participated, making it a fun and educational experience.
Field Report: “Discovering Creatures is Deculture!”
In the Field Presentation: “Discovering Creatures is Deculture!”, children presented the local creatures they had found themselves. Shogoro Fujiki, CEO of Biome Inc., and Shoji Kawamori, producer of the pavilion, joined the session and were deeply impressed by the children’s observational skills and presentations. The segment provided a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the importance of learning through hands-on experiences.
Children’s Presentations: Using Cutting-Edge Technology to Protect Wildlife
In the “Protecting Creatures with Technology!” segment, children presented innovative ideas such as drones for ecosystem research and AI apps to protect marine life worldwide. Shoji Kawamori, Masahiro Sato, Acting President of Digital Hollywood University, and Kazuhiro Kiyoto from Tokyo Shoseki Co., Ltd., joined the session, providing feedback from their respective areas of expertise on the children’s creative ideas. The audience responded with enthusiastic applause, highlighting the power of children’s free thinking to shape the future.
“Earth Orchestra: Dance and Sing Together!”
At the event finale, popular choreographer Bunkei and Reon Tanie, the voice actress for Kanade, took the stage! The session featured a dance lesson by Bunkei to the theme song of the anime “Chikyu no Latale” (Earth’s Latale), followed by dances and singing performed by the Earth Saver children. The official mascot of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, Myaku Myaku, also appeared, creating a stage filled with excitement and smiles.
A Pledge from Children to the Future
At the closing, children delivered future-oriented messages in a relay format, expressing sentiments such as “Take care of the Earth” and “Protect living creatures.” Their powerful words resonated with the adults in the audience, making it a memorable and impactful conclusion to the day’s experiences.
Exciting Activities on the Side Stages!
Even during breaks on the main stage, plenty of programs were held!
From the anime “Chikyu no Latale” (Earth’s Latale), Reon Tanie, the voice actress for Kanade, appeared to read aloud from the original picture book “Latale and the Earth Savers: Lessons from Endangered Species.”
Hearing the story in Kanade’s voice immersed the audience in the world of the work, with both children and adults listening intently and captivated by the special reading.
At the venue, exhibition and hands-on experience corners were also a big hit, including “Ice Creature Balls” containing Kaiyodo animal figures as part of cooling measures, and the distribution of seeds of traditional Osaka vegetables for summer vacation research projects.
During the seed giveaway, Koetsu Serizawa, CEO of Plantio Inc., took the stage to introduce urban agriculture (“urban farming”) and the Osaka traditional vegetable “Tennoji Kabu”. The seeds distributed this time are “life-circulating seeds”, which can be harvested and replanted after growing the vegetables. Children learned about the importance of these seeds for passing life on to the future, showing great interest in cultivating them at home and using them for research projects.
In addition, Koji Yatsuyama, Deputy Director of the 2027 International Horticultural Exposition (Green Expo), spoke about the expo to be held in Yokohama starting March 2027. He explained that the event, themed around “green,” will allow visitors to enjoy flowers and gardens from around the world while learning about new technologies and initiatives to address global warming and food issues. Scheduled during the beautiful cherry blossom season, the expo expects many international participants, offering children a valuable and enriching experience.
The “Nature Positive Program for the Earth and Future,” held over five hours, provided an opportunity to realize that children’s voices and actions have the power to change the future. We hope that the small insights and actions born from this event will eventually grow into a powerful force capable of influencing society as a whole.
