Joint Project of “LIVE EARTH JOURNEY” at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai —“Ikimono Search is Deculture!” Partnership Agreement Signed with Tottori Prefecture

Shoji Kawamori—animation director and mechanical designer, and the producer of the Signature Pavilion “LIVE EARTH JOURNEY” for the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai theme project—has signed a partnership agreement with Tottori Prefecture to mutually collaborate toward the realization of a Nature Positive future.

At the signing ceremony held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, Tottori Governor Shinji Hirai and Producer Shoji Kawamori took the stage.
The event was witnessed by Yuna Kinoshita from the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition and Myakumyaku, the official mascot of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
Governor Hirai expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating:
“Tottori is a treasure trove of biodiversity, with places like the Tottori Sand Dunes and Mount Daisen, the highest peak in the Chugoku region. I hope many people will come to see Tottori as a prime field for exploring living creatures.”
He also voiced strong commitment to future Nature Positive actions.

When asked about his impression of Tottori’s rich natural environment, Producer Shoji Kawamori responded:
“I was amazed by the natural beauty of the Tottori Sand Dunes and the unique ecosystems you don’t usually see. I also visited Mount Daisen and the Uradome Coast—each place offered something different and fascinating.”
He added:
“The Signature Pavilion ‘LIVE EARTH JOURNEY’ explores the theme of fusion and transformation in ecosystems through the food chain. I would love to see it ‘fuse and transform’ with Tottori’s nature as well.”
Kawamori expressed great anticipation for the collaboration.

The contents of the agreement are as follows:

Promoting the beauty of Japan and Tottori Prefecture as biodiverse, nature-rich environments through activities at the Expo venue and awareness events.

Mutual collaboration toward the realization of a Nature Positive future, leveraging the momentum of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.

Joint implementation of the awareness event “Ikimono Search is Deculture!”, using Tottori’s rich natural environments—home to a diverse range of living creatures—as the exploration field.

On the same day, the opening ceremony of the Anime & Manga Tourism Festival was held at WASSE inside the Expo venue, where Producer Shoji Kawamori and Tottori Governor Shinji Hirai participated together in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Kawamori appeared in the attendant uniform from “LIVE EARTH JOURNEY”, while Governor Hirai delighted the audience by showing up dressed as Kitaro from GeGeGe no Kitaro.

Starting Thursday, May 1, the collaboration project “Ikimono Search is Deculture!” also launched within the Expo grounds.
Set in the Forest of Silence, visitors can complete the Forest of Silence Quest by posting any three types of “ikimono” (living things), such as plants or insects.

The Forest of Silence is home to a wide variety of life forms.
By engaging in observation and discovery, the initiative aims to foster this life and promote a spirit of coexistence in support of Nature Positive action.