As China and Japan build on their 2,000-year history of mutual learning, their intensive cultural and technological exchanges at the ongoing World Expo 2025 in Osaka are deepening mutual understanding and creating shared benefits between the two countries, said a Singaporean expert on Friday.
In an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Lim Tai Wei, a professor at Soka University of Japan, highlighted the 2,000-year history of mutual learning between China and Japan, spanning from ancient civilization to modern popular culture.
"The two countries have had a long history of exchanges for more than 2,000 years, and in these 2,000 years, they learned from each other. For the Chinese, especially in the period of modernity, they have learned from and also interacted with Japan on modern systems of writings, phrases, terminologies, technologies, etc. And from the Chinese, Japan has long learned from Chinese civilization," Lim said.
"And today, even in contemporary culture, there is an intensive exchange as both countries engage with each other in terms of popular culture, whether it is cosplay, whether it is manga or manhua in China, whether it is science fiction. Many Chinese science fictional works are very popular in Japan, and many kawaii, cute characters from Japan are also very popular in China," he said.
The expert further emphasized the intensive high-tech exchanges at World Expo 2025, noting how cultural, trade, and technological collaborations at the event enhance mutual understanding and create shared benefits between China and Japan.
"There are also design technologies and high-tech niches in which both countries can collaborate and cooperate with each other. We have just seen a new Lexus EV factory, for example, open up in Shanghai. So, all these trade exchanges, technological exchanges, popular cultural exchanges, are alive and kicking in World Expo Osaka. And through these exchanges, these two countries can probably develop better understanding, appreciation and indeed, a mutually beneficial relationship," Lim said.
Themed "Designing the Future Society of Our Lives," the World Expo 2025 is underway in Osaka, Japan's third-largest city, from April 13 to October 13.
Covering an area of around 3,500 square meters, the China Pavilion stands as one of the largest foreign self-built pavilions at Expo 2025.
Osaka Expo deepens cultural, tech exchanges between China, Japan: expert
