On June 24, 2025, O-MU-TSU WORLD EXPO was held at EXPO Hall “Shining Hat” at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
With the message “Toward a world where everyone can enjoy fashion, whether living with a disability or concerns about toileting,” O-MU-TSU WORLD EXPO explored the future of diapers from the perspectives of welfare, healthcare and design.
The 1,900-person venue was fully booked in advance. The event included a talk show and the “Future Diaper Collection,” in which 31 models with diverse ages, body types, nationalities, physical conditions and backgrounds presented 31 diaper designs created around the theme of rock and high fashion.
Eight major companies presented designs that went beyond conventional images of diapers: adult diaper manufacturers Kao Corporation, Koyo Co., Ltd., Hakujuji Co., Ltd., Daio Paper Corporation, Nippon Paper Crecia Co., Ltd., Unicharm Corporation and Livedo Corporation, joined by underwear manufacturer Wacoal Corp.
Talk show speakers were director Terry Ito, astronaut Norishige Kanai of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and Kei Hirabayashi, representative director of the Japan Welfare & Medical Fashion Association.
Ambassadors and advisors from Japan and overseas also supported the event, including House of Representatives member Seiko Noda; Kaoru Nishimura, honorary president of the Japan Continence Society; Jack Sim, Founder and Director of the World Toilet Organization; and Janice Chia, Founder & Managing Director of Aging Asia.
The event received endorsements from 52 organizations in Japan and overseas, including Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. It was realized through collaboration with diaper and underwear manufacturers, traditional craft businesses, sponsors, models, costume makers, hair and makeup artists, interpreters, venue operations teams and many others. After the event, more than 100 media outlets in Japan and overseas covered it.
Hiroshi Yagi, second from left, contributed to the planning and operation of O-MU-TSU WORLD EXPO as vice representative director of the organizing body, the Japan Welfare & Medical Fashion Association. The initiative shared a vision of diapers connected to fashion, accessibility and social participation with the world.
O-MU-TSU WORLD EXPO official website
https://jwmf.jp/expo2025/
PR TIMES article
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000007.000147093.html
Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan official website
Featured event for June 22–28: O-MU-TSU WORLD EXPO
https://www.expo2025.or.jp/officialblog/20250621-01/