[Event Report] The “Lucky Cat Project” is being held at the
Osaka-Kansai Expo! [Announcement] Lucky Cats are back! We’ve decided to exhibit at “MEET CULTURE in OSAKA 2025”! [Naniwa Akindo Juku Association]
Naniwa Akindo Juku Association Press Release: October 1, 2025 [Event Report] The “Lucky Cat Project” at the Osaka-Kansai Expo is underway! [Announcement] Lucky Cats are back! Exhibiting at “MEET CULTURE in OSAKA 2025”! The Lucky Cat Project at the Osaka-Kansai Expo has sadly come to an end! Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura also took the stage, and 120 Lucky Cats brought good fortune and a brighter future. We will be exhibiting at “MEET CULTURE in OSAKA 2025” on November 29th and 30th! On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the “Osaka-Kansai Expo Maneki-neko Project” was held at the “Reborn Stage” (Osaka Healthcare Pavilion) at the Osaka-Kansai Expo. On the Double Ninth Festival, which has been considered the most auspicious day since ancient times, 120 unique beckoning cats filled the venue, bringing good fortune and good luck to the many people who visited the Expo.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/168095/7/168095-7-a2b5df985aa4f7ff7acfbeffa17fe4df-2756×1837.jpg https://img.youtube.com/vi/DzwfSXXG6p4/sddefault.jpg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzwfSXXG6p4 ※Scenes from the Maneki-neko Project Secret guests Hiroshi Mizohata, Chairman of the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, and Hirofumi Yoshimura, Governor of Osaka Prefecture, also appeared on stage, adding to the excitement of the event. The project aims to revive the spirit of cultural support once held by Osaka merchants and to generate new value for the future through collaboration between businesses and artists. ■About the Osaka-Kansai Expo Maneki-neko Project This is a joint project by three organizations representing small and medium-sized businesses in the Kansai region: the Naniwa Akindo Juku Association, the Osaka City Industrial Management Association (General Incorporated Association), and the Osaka City Women Entrepreneurs Information Exchange
Association. The event was held on September 9th, a day considered the most auspicious day of the year since ancient times in Japan. The goal of this project was to create “the place where fortune gathers most in the world.” On stage, a prayer ceremony at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine and talk events on the themes of the future and fortune were held, along with an exhibition of 120 beckoning cats created by companies and artists. ■Exhibition of unique beckoning cats All 120 beckoning cats on display share the same 30cm format, but they vary greatly in expression, color, material, and worldview. The space brought together a diverse range of unique personalities, including works created in-house and in collaboration with artists and para-artists. Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/168095/7/168095-7-3a34d8005bd96b957817152b7c2cbb17-2756×1837.jpg Visitors could scan a QR code next to any beckoning cat they found interesting to view profiles of the companies and artists behind the artwork, as well as the thoughts behind it. Many visitors enjoyed taking photos of the beckoning cats and scanning QR codes on the day.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/168095/7/168095-7-ef6f7578bf89ee34b7750c85a39258be-3900×2194.jpg ■Cultural support connecting companies and artists
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/168095/7/168095-7-cb6ac91ab464a707c7eb0daf84f10f61-2756×1837.jpg Part of this Maneki-neko Project is cultural support. The theme of this cultural support is “Not Design, But Art.” Rather than
commissioning a design, this initiative entrusts the creation of artwork, matching companies with artists and co-creating new value. Akio Takimoto, who was in charge of matching and art direction, said, “This project is not just about creating a corporate logo or designing promotional materials. We aimed to create value by having each artist interpret the thoughts and pride that each company holds dear and express them in their own ‘works of art.'” He also mentioned his concern that creativity is becoming merely an advertising and promotional tool, and spoke passionately about future developments, saying, “We want to provide artists with a place to create and increase opportunities for more people to know about their work. I hope that this event will lead to increased recognition from various companies and the spread of new forms of co-creation.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/168095/7/168095-7-0d102dd1750b54ea078fe4df927c4dd1-2756×1837.jpg Art Direction: Akio Takimoto (Art Director, Film Director, Creator) ■The Thoughts Behind the “Maneki-neko Project” Miyazaki Akira, project manager, reflected on the approximately year and a half leading up to the event, explaining that he wanted to create an event that everyone, including children, could enjoy, and that he chose the iconic symbol of the beckoning cat as the core of the project. He spoke of the project’s future outlook, saying, “I hope that this event at the Osaka-Kansai Expo will serve as a catalyst for connecting companies and artists, and that relationships that respect each other’s strengths will grow.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/168095/7/168095-7-301e4130b829fb1c7b74b6ba47005829-2756×1837.jpg “Osaka-Kansai Expo Maneki-neko Project” General Manager: Akira Miyazaki (Director, Independence Co., Ltd.) Sales Manager) ■ Guest speakers discuss “Osaka’s Future Society” The evening stage event solemnly kicked off with a prayer at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine. On the auspicious day of the Double Ninth Festival, visitors gazed in awe at the Shinto ritual, held on the unique stage of the Expo site. Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/168095/7/168095-7-646beb0e709bedd88af99a22b7065c65-2756×1838.jpg ■Hiroshi Mizohata, Chairman of the Osaka Tourism Bureau
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/168095/7/168095-7-8ce41cc74836a640cdad953f94d0f9a3-2756×1837.jpg Mr. Mizohata, also known as “Miyaku Hiroshi,” held a special talk session titled “Osaka’s Future Society.” Touching on the current state of Japan’s tourism industry, where growth is significant, he passionately declared, “The atmosphere is filled with the desire to make more and more money!” Sharing an anecdote about a letter he received from a child, he spoke about the importance of the dreams and inspiration the Expo will instill in the generations who will lead the future. ■Hideaki Kawai, President and CEO of Osaka Metro
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/168095/7/168095-7-3df9a27dc1198d6cccebd9fd4617d760-2756×1837.jpg President Kawai gave a speech titled “Osaka Metro’s Vision for the Future of Osaka.” He emphasized the importance of working together to address the social issue of population decline, and shared Osaka Metro’s forward-looking initiatives and deep insight into the challenges facing society as a whole. ■Resil Co., Ltd. Representative Director and President Yasumi Tanji
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/168095/7/168095-7-6dd7b65d44292cae3dfe7d83531f4b8b-2756×1837.jpg President Tanji delivered a lecture on the difficult topic of “realizing a carbon-free society” in a way that was easy for everyone to understand. He spoke of electricity as a bridge connecting people, things, and events, precisely because it is a daily necessity, and explained how he is actually working with participating companies to achieve CO2-free society. He concluded by saying that he wants to connect people, companies, and communities through electricity and contribute to building Japan’s future. Rezil Co., Ltd. Presentation Report https://note.rezil.co.jp/n/na4d478973a21 ■Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/168095/7/168095-7-494da3f7a9051f0bb51200688e624cc3-2756×1837.jpg Governor Yoshimura, appearing as the final guest, gave a speech titled “Osaka’s Future Society.” While touching upon the skepticism voiced before the Expo, he reported that over 160 countries have
participated, over 20 million tickets have been sold, and the Expo is now in the black. He hinted at the possibility of “flying cars” and expressed his strong determination to demonstrate to the world Japan’s immeasurable power through the Expo’s legacy. At the end of the event, the prestigious winners were announced from among the 120 original beckoning cats. The winners of the Hideaki Kawai Award, Hiroshi Mizohata Award, and Hirofumi Yoshimura Award were selected, bringing the event to a successful close. ■Event overview [Event Name] Osaka-Kansai Expo Maneki-neko Project [Date and Time] Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM [Venue] Osaka-Kansai Expo Osaka Healthcare Pavilion “Reborn Stage” [Participation] Free, no advance reservations required [Organizers] Naniwa Akindo Juku Association, Osaka City Industrial Management Association (General Incorporated Association), Osaka City Women Entrepreneurs Information Exchange Association [Project Website]
https://akindo-juku.gr.jp/info/070909.html [Special page]
https://manekineko.akindo-juku.gr.jp/pc.php ■ Project participating artists masaki nakamura/Akio Takamoto/Mototerahira/Taku
Sakaguchi/Masaki Arisode/Miki Wanibuchi/Yusuke
Habuchi/Eritsin/Juicy/Mai Toyoshima/Takashi Nakajima/Rocket
Jack/Atsushi Mune/silsil/simo/Kiyokazu Tsujino/Yuji Yamakawa/Mika Furuya/SHIRACO WORLD/Koseko Bunko/Sayaka Kondo/Kazuhiro
Teijima/marco/Kano Masuzawa/Rim/Yuhei Takada/Urata Sequins/Koseko Yafa/ema/hitch/Yoshitaka Goto/COZY TOMATO/Kousukei/Mizobatasaki/Tani Masateru/Living Ops. And more… Lucky cats are back! Exhibiting at the art festival “MEET CULTURE in OSAKA 2025”! We have decided to exhibit the beckoning cats created as part of this beckoning cat project at the following art festival, giving more people an opportunity to see them. Approximately 50 beckoning cats, primarily collaborative works by artists, will be on display. This is a rare opportunity to meet the beckoning cats. Please come and visit. ■Event Overview [Event Name] “MEET CULTURE in OSAKA 2025” [Date and time] Saturday, November 29, 2025, Sunday, November 30, 2025 11:00-17:00 [Venue] SEASIDE STUDIO CASO 2-7-23 Kaigandori, Minato-ku, Osaka, Osaka 552-0022 7-minute walk from Osakako Station on the Osaka Metro Chuo Line [Organizer] CASO Art Zone Project/Sunclar Co., Ltd. [Planning] Taishinsha Delight Co., Ltd./PLANT・ART Lab OMM [Cooperation] JAMWORKS / RJ Graphics / DOOR
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2q60JskHXiM * Last year’s event ■Contact for this project Maneki-neko Project General Manager Independence Co., Ltd. Yoh Miyazaki Email: yoh.miyazaki@indp.co.jp TEL: 06-4706-6070