TOKYO (AP) — Popular daily fountain shows and a shallow pool area at Expo 2025 in Osaka have been temporarily suspended due to bacterial contamination that required cleaning and safety checks, the event organisers said on Monday.
The aquatic show at the Water Plaza has been suspended since June 4 when legionella bacteria of up to 20 times the legal limit was detected in the water, a week after lower levels of contamination had been found.
Another water area, called the Forest of Tranquility — a shallow reservoir over 2.3 hectares (5.7 acres) where visitors can soak their feet and relax — has also been closed for cleaning due to the legionella contamination, which can cause pneumonia.
The bacteria contamination is the latest problem hitting the Expo site, where swarms of midges have been bothering visitors for weeks.
The venue, built on a former industrial waste burial site in the Osaka Bay in western Japan, where methane gas was detected days before the opening in April.
The use of insecticides have so far not effectively blocked the midges. Organizers say they now believe the source of the midges is the Water Plaza and that additional measures are under way, such as installing an insect screen.
Organizers have also taken anti-bacterial measures at the water areas, including increased sanitation, cleaning drainage pipes and increasing water circulation, to improve water quality at the reservoir and get approval for a reopening from the health authorities.
Hiroyuki Ishige, secretary general of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, said the organizers should have acted more quickly to close down the water area after detecting increased levels of contamination.
“We deeply apologize over the inconveniences we have caused to the visitors who were looking forward to the (water) shows,” Ishige told a media briefing on Monday.
Organizers says there has been no reported health issues.
The Osaka Expo involves participants from more than 160 countries, regions and organizations who are showcasing their futuristic exhibits. Organizers had expected 28 million visitors through mid-October.
Chironomid midges are seen at the site of the Wold Exposition in Osaka, western Japan on May 21, 2025. (Kyodo News via AP)
A view of "Water Plaza" at the site of the World Exposition in Osaka, on June 4, 2025.(Atsuhiro Maeda/Kyodo News via AP)
Watched by its grieving coach, Barcelona won its second straight Spanish league title and 29th overall with a 2-0 win over Real Madrid at Camp Nou on Sunday.
Goals by Marcus Rashford in the ninth minute and Ferran Torres in the 18th gave Barcelona the victory and an insurmountable 14-point advantage over its fierce rival with three rounds remaining in La Liga.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick was in the dugout for Sunday’s clasico following the death of his father, which Barcelona announced hours before kickoff. Players from both teams wore black armbands and there was a moment of silence before kickoff.
A draw would also have been enough for the Catalan club to seal its third league title in four seasons.
Madrid, which remains the most successful club in the league with 36 trophies, is ending a second consecutive season without a major title. Sunday’s defeat at Barcelona capped an embarrassing week for Madrid, marked by altercations between players in training that led the club to fine Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni 500,000 euros ($589,000) each.
Rashford opened the scoring for the hosts with a wonderfully taken free kick, curling the ball over the wall and into the top corner. Torres added to the lead from inside the area after a flick from Dani Olmo.
Flick’s father reportedly died overnight. The coach celebrated Barcelona’s goals.
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Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Raphinha Barcelona celebrate after winning the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid that makes them Spanish league champions in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, May 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior reacts during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, May 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois fails to stop the opening goal from a free kick by Barcelona's Marcus Rashford during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, May 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra)
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick gestures during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, May 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra)
Barcelona's Ferran Torres celebrates his side's second goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, May 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe reacts during a La Liga soccer match between Real Betis and Real Madrid in Seville, Spain, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe reacts during a La Liga soccer match between Real Betis and Real Madrid in Seville, Spain, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)
