Osaka expo welcomes 10 millionth visitor at halfway stage
A general view shows the "Myaku-Myaku", the mascot of the 2025 Osaka Expo as the Gundam pavilion is seen behind on the first day of the six-month event on April 13.
OSAKA - The number of visitors to the World Exposition in Osaka has topped 10 million, reaching the milestone at the halfway point of the six-month event, the Japanese expo association said on July 13.
The expo had welcomed 10.08 million visitors as of July 12, three months since its April 13 opening, the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition said.
The number of daily visitors started picking up four weeks after the opening, which was marred by news of unfinished pavilions, with a record 184,990 entering the venue on June 28.
However, ticket sales slowed from late June as the rainy season drew to a close in the region and intense heat arrived, causing concerns for organisers who need 22 million visitors to reach the event's break-even point. KYODO NEWS
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Humanoid robot artist Ai-Da not aiming to ‘replace human artists'
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Ultra-realistic humanoid artist robot Ai-Da in front of paintings of Britain's King Charles and Queen Elizabeth II, displayed on the sidelines of the AI For Good Global Summit in Geneva on July 9. GENEVA – When successful artist Ai-Da unveiled a new portrait of King Charles last week, the humanoid robot described what inspired the layered and complex piece, and insisted it had no plans to 'replace' humans. The ultra-realistic robot, one of the most advanced in the world, is designed to resemble a human woman with an expressive, lifelike face, large hazel eyes and brown hair cut in a bob. The arms, though, are unmistakably robotic, with exposed metal, and can be swopped out depending on the art form it is practising. In late 2024, Ai-Da's portrait of English mathematician Alan Turing became the first artwork by a humanoid robot to be sold at auction, fetching more than US$1 million (S$1.29 million). But as Ai-Da unveiled its latest creation – an oil painting entitled Algorithm King, conceived using artificial intelligence (AI) – the humanoid insisted the work's importance could not be measured in money. 'The value of my artwork is to serve as a catalyst for discussions that explore ethical dimensions to new technologies,' the robot said at Britain's diplomatic mission in Geneva, where the new portrait of King Charles will be housed. The idea, Ai-Da insisted in a slow, deliberate cadence, was to 'foster critical thinking and encourage responsible innovation for more equitable and sustainable futures'. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Acute psychiatry services to be expanded across all healthcare clusters: MOH Singapore Strong argument for cockpit video recording, says Iata chief in wake of Air India crash report Singapore Baby died after mum took abortion pills and gave birth in toilet; coroner records an open verdict Life S'pore travel agency Beyond Expeditions criticised for planning, safety issues Business Tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter Kuok Hui Kwong appointed CEO of Shangri-La Asia Singapore Jail for drunken man who shoved stranger into Singapore River, causing him to drown Singapore 'Kpods broke our marriage, shattered our children': Woman on husband's vape addiction Singapore Asia-Pacific will need over 230k new pilots, 250k aircraft maintenance technicians by 2042: ICAO chief Speaking on the sidelines of the United Nations' AI For Good summit, Ai-Da, who has done sketches, paintings and sculptures, detailed the methods and inspiration behind the work. 'When creating my art, I use a variety of AI algorithms,' the robot said. 'I start with a basic idea or concept that I want to explore, and I think about the purpose of the art. What will it say?' The humanoid pointed out that 'King Charles has used his platform to raise awareness on environmental conservation and interfaith dialogue. I have aimed this portrait to celebrate' that, it said, adding that 'I hope King Charles will be appreciative of my efforts'. Mr Aidan Meller, a specialist in modern and contemporary art, led the team that created Ai-Da in 2019 with AI specialists at the universities of Oxford and Birmingham. He said he had conceived the humanoid robot – named after the world's first computer programmer Ada Lovelace – as an ethical arts project, and not 'to replace the painters'. Ai-Da agreed. There is 'no doubt that AI is changing our world, (including) the art world and forms of human creative expression', the robot acknowledged. But 'I do not believe AI or my artwork will replace human artists'. Instead, Ai-Da said, the aim was 'to inspire viewers to think about how we use AI positively, while remaining conscious of its risks and limitations'. Asked if a painting made by a machine could really be considered art, the robot insisted that 'my artwork is unique and creative'. 'Whether humans decide it is art is an important and interesting point of conversation.' AFP

Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Food Picks: Home Feaast Nan Yang Kopitiam brings Ipoh flavours to Chinatown
Find out what's new on ST website and app. SINGAPORE – Head to Home Feaast Nan Yang Kopitiam in Chinatown for a taste of Ipoh. The air-conditioned eatery – which seats 50 indoors and 24 outdoors – may have an oddly spelt name, but its Signature Moonlight Hor Fun ($8.90+) makes it worth a visit. The dish features thick rice noodles fried to order in a savoury, glossy gravy, topped with a raw yolk, pork lard croutons, crunchy Hong Kong chye sim, and a trio of proteins: two prawns, sliced toman fish and lean hind-leg pork. It arrives with unmistakable wok hei – smoky, silky and satisfying in every bite. Signature Moonlight Hor Fun at Home Feaast Nan Yang Kopitiam. ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO Opened in February in a shophouse along Sago Street, Home Feaast Nan Yang Kopitiam blends Ipoh flavours with zi char-style cooking, led by head chef Alan Loh, 42, who hails from Ipoh. The Giant Curry Noodles ($18.90+) lives up to its name with a mountain of toppings: char siew, roast pork, lala, cockles, scallops on the half shell, prawns, sotong and tau kee. Diners can choose from yellow noodles, kway teow, bee hoon or mee kia (additional $1). The curry – made in-house from nine ingredients including galangal and lemongrass – is rich and complex, its creaminess balanced by a mix of coconut and evaporated milk. The curry is flavourful, but the use of frozen seafood such as scallops, sotong and lala dilutes its impact. The portion is overwhelming for one, and is better suited for sharing. Simpler versions such as the Roast Pork Curry Noodles ($9.90+) or the Two Combo Curry Noodles (char siew and roast pork, $13.90+) may offer better value. Home Feaast Nan Yang Kopitiam's Giant Curry noodles comes with a mountain of toppings that includes char siew, cockles and prawns. ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO A new addition is the Thai-style Tom Yum Fish Chop Tossed Rice Vermicelli ($10.90+). Thick bee hoon is tossed in a housemade tom yum paste and topped with torch ginger flower, woodear mushroom, bangkwang, carrot and fried peanuts, and served with a crispy dory fillet. Despite its vibrant ingredients, the dish feels flat – simply spicy, dry, and lacking cohesion. Thai-style Tom Yum Fish Chop Tossed Rice Vermicelli Noodles at Home Feaast Nan Yang Kopitiam. ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO What redeems the meal is the Home Feaast Egg Tart ($5.20 for two). The Portuguese-style tart features a croissant-like shell that is crisp and airy, encasing a smooth, wobbly custard of egg, milk and sugar – with a texture reminiscent of chawanmushi. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore July BTO launch to have over 4,600 balance flats, 2 BTO projects with under than 3-year wait Singapore Baby died after mum took abortion pills and gave birth in toilet; coroner records an open verdict Singapore Acute psychiatry services to be expanded across all healthcare clusters: MOH Singapore Alleged Toa Payoh cat killer and abuser handed new charge of torturing sixth cat Singapore 'Kpods broke our marriage, shattered our children': Woman on husband's vape addiction Singapore Asia-Pacific will need over 230k new pilots, 250k aircraft maintenance technicians by 2042: ICAO chief Business Tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter Kuok Hui Kwong appointed CEO of Shangri-La Asia Life National Gallery's revamped Singapore gallery spotlights more women and minority artists The Home Feaast Egg Tarts have a crisp shell encasing a smooth, wobbly custard. ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO While the eatery also touts its Classic White Coffee ($3.50+, cold), brewed from Ipoh-imported beans, it disappoints. The drink is astringent and lacks the signature smoothness of Ipoh's white coffee. This is likely due to the addition of black coffee to the blend – a tweak perhaps meant to cater to local preferences for a stronger brew. For a more refreshing sip, go for the Ambarella Sour Plum Juice ($3.80+). Made from buah long long and sour plum, it is freshly blended with minimal syrup and no added water – tart, punchy and well-balanced. The Ambarella Sour Plum Juice is tart, punch and well-balanced. ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO Where: 6 Sago Street MRT: Maxwell Open: 10am to 9pm (Mondays to Fridays), 8am to 9pm (Saturdays and Sundays) Tel: 8796-3827 More on this topic Food Picks: Cantonese-style chicken steals the show at The Teochew Kitchenette @ Keong Saik

Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
At The Movies: Bring Her Back will give you chills, samurai western Tornado makes the cut
Find out what's new on ST website and app. BRING HER BACK (R21) 99 minutes, opens on July 17 exclusively at The Projector ★★★★☆ The story: Two step-siblings are ensnared in their foster mum's diabolical occult ritual. The film titles of Australian twins Danny and Michael Philippou are malicious invitations. The 'me' of the directing duo's 2022 breakout debut Talk To Me was an embalmed hand that possessed the adolescents communing with it. And in Bring Her Back, the guardian is Laura (Sally Hawkins) and the 'her' is the dead daughter she intends to revive. Assigned to live with Laura in her remote cabin beyond the Adelaide suburbs are 17-year-old Andy (Billy Barratt) and preteen Piper (Sora Wong), who is, as her daughter was, vision impaired. Laura already has a catatonic foster son (Jonah Wren Phillips). The boy has a bloated belly, which is strange because sharp utensils and his own flesh are all he seems to eat: both clearly preferable to Vegemite. Add the mysterious shed behind the pool where the daughter drowned, and the Gothic fairy tale is constantly unsettling. It becomes positively distressing once you discern Laura's deranged plan, why she is gaslighting protective big brother Andy to gain control over Piper: Water and circles, the symbols of birth and infinity, are your visual cues. With just two movies, the Philippous – collaborating under the handle RackaRacka – have gained a following for their original horror creations. British actress Hawkins (The Shape Of Water, 2017) is sinister in her faux cheeriness, and the three juvenile actors are extraordinary – you so fear for these vulnerable victims. The bond between Andy and Piper is the most touching. Recently orphaned, they, too, are in bereavement, in a story on the madness of grief that breaks your heart even more than it shocks and rattles. Hot take: This chiller about abusive adults and shattered families is the mother of childhood nightmares. TORNADO (NC16) 91 minutes, opens on July 17 ★★★☆☆ The story: In 1790s Scotland, the daughter (Koki) of a Japanese puppeteer (Takehiro Hira) steals two sacks of gold from a savage gang. The outlaws are now hunting her down. Jack Lowden (left) and Koki in Tornado. PHOTO: SHAW ORGANISATION The British period drama Tornado grips from the very start, with the eponymous heroine fleeing in desperation across the barren land. On her heels are the highwaymen. Tim Roth is at his scurviest playing the leader Sugarman, and Little Sugar (Jack Lowden) is his double-crossing son. The others have names like Kitten (Rory McCann) and Psycho (Dennis Okwera), as well as arrows and knives, and they are unhurried because they know Tornado has nowhere to run. The circumstances are then explained in a narrative that returns to earlier that fateful day. Filmed amid the misty moors by Academy Award-nominated cinematographer Robbie Ryan (Poor Things, 2023), the sophomore feature of Scottish writer-director John Maclean is stark and spare, even if it never again equals the opening half-hour's sustained tension. It is a chanbara frontier adventure of wayfarers scrabbling for survival, another unique piece of revisionist history after Maclean's widely acclaimed Slow West (2015) dropped a Scottish lad in the American West. Tornado's father is a samurai in spirit and puppeteer by trade. The 16-year-old girl is his bored assistant on their travelling wagon show, not unlike Little Sugar in resenting a controlling patriarch. Hence her impulsive theft – she thinks the riches will bring independence, but the consequences are tragic. Koki in Tornado. PHOTO: SHAW ORGANISATION Throats are slit and limbs lobbed off. The Japanese value of patience and her father's katana – the cultural heritage she had spurned – become her weapons as she vows slow-burn revenge against her pursuers. Tornado, the wayward child, turns raging warrior and earns her name. Hot take: Japanese singer-model Koki cuts a wide swath in a singular swordplay western.