Japan Unveils the theme of Its Expo 2027 Pavilion: “Play and Connect, Together Playful Spirit of Japan” Arrives in Belgrade

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (METI) has announced its plan for Japan’s National Pavilion for the Specialised Expo 2027 Belgrade, officially presenting the theme, concept and directions that will shape Japan’s participation in this international event. The document was adopted on 27 October 2025.

The theme of Japan’s pavilion will be “Play and Connect, Together  Playful Spirit of Japan”, that has been selected as the foundation of the exhibition narrative and content of the Japan pavilion. As METI emphasizes, the main Expo 2027 theme Play for Humanity represents a universal principle that calls for unity, creativity and collective reflection in a world facing deepening divisions.

The statement published on METI’s website notes that aligning the pavilion concept with the theme of Serbia as the Host Country is a natural step, with a particularly important reference being the National Pavilion of Serbia at Expo 2025 Osaka as follows. METI recalls that this pavilion successfully integrated the Expo theme in Osaka - “Designing Future Society for Our Lives” - with the notion of “play”, announced as the theme of the exhibition in Belgrade.

“Play for Humanity, the theme of EXPO 2027 Belgrade, embodies a truly universal concept emphasizing the value of joining hands and thinking together in this increasingly divisive world. When considering themes for the Japan Pavilion that would resonate with Serbia’s proposed EXPO theme as the host country, our first thought was the Serbian Pavilion at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan”, states the Ministry.  

Statement of the Ministry highlighted that the Serbian Pavilion presented a unique exhibit effectively linking the Expo 2025 Osaka theme of “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” to the theme of the next Expo in Belgrade, “Play.” According to them, EXPO 2027 Belgrade will be the first Expo Japan participates in after hosting the previous one. “At our Japan Pavilion, we will reciprocate Serbia’s gesture by sublimely weaving the Expo 2025 Osaka theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” along with its legacy concept, “unity in diversity,” into the theme of Play”, stated the Ministry.

When it comes to Expo 2027 theme, they highlighted that to play is to connect. “When people are immersed in play, their curiosity leads them to engage with others. Interacting and frolicking with nature while exploring the surrounding environments connects us with all forms of life. The very act of reaching out to others is, in itself, a form of play.

Inherent to the concept of “play” are the notions of openness and flexibility. Physical openness, as seen in architecture, and emotional room, especially in the form of humor and playfulness, are equally essential to its idea. These elements—having been passed down through the ages in the form of everyday customs and wisdom—create a breathing space that enables all forms of life to connect.”

In that context, Ministry adds that these ideas reflect the universal nature of “play,” deeply rooted in our history, which manifest in distinct ways across diverse aspects of Japanese society.

“The Japan Pavilion will showcase these multifaceted aspects of play that have been passed down through generations. To convey such ideas in a comprehensive way, we have chosen “Playful Spirit of Japan” as the theme of the Japan Pavilion.” Ministry stated. 

“Through the exhibition, we aim to demonstrate that “Play and Connect, Together” can lead to a bright “Future Society for Our Lives,” truly empowering the world to overcome the various divisions that it faces and realize unity in diversity,” they concluded.