By John Q. Hosedrinker 
A 25-year-old Japanese man, Fumiya Takenawa, gained entry to Expo 2025 in Osaka using a ticket from the cancelled 1940 Grand International Exposition of Japan. Expo 2025 organizers honored the vintage ticket, exchanging it for two passes, following a precedent set by previous Japanese Expos. Takenawa, a collector of expo memorabilia, acquired the ticket online. This policy reflects a continuing recognition of the historical significance of the 1940 event, despite its cancellation due to World War II.
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A man was recently admitted to Japan’s 2025 World Expo using an 85-year-old ticket. This remarkable event sparked a flurry of online discussion, highlighting the ticket’s incredible longevity and the intriguing historical context surrounding it. The ticket, originally issued in 1938 for the Grand International Exposition of Japan in Tokyo, predates World War II, an event which ultimately postponed the Expo indefinitely.
The remarkable preservation of the ticket itself is a testament to the printing techniques of the era. Many commenters contrasted the ticket’s durability with the fragility of modern electronics, emphasizing the superior quality of materials and craftsmanship used in the past. The discussion naturally drifted towards the broader topic of the quality of Japanese printing and the enduring nature of certain printed materials, books and collector’s items being frequently cited as examples of lasting quality.
The acquisition of the ticket added another layer to the story. It wasn’t a family heirloom passed down through generations; instead, it was purchased online as a collector’s item. This detail shifted the focus to the secondary market for historical memorabilia and the value assigned to such artifacts. The fact that an 85-year-old ticket could not only survive but also grant entry to a major international event seemed almost too good to be true – a testament to both the ticket’s quality and the perhaps surprisingly lenient entry policies of the Expo.
The story’s historical context proved even more fascinating. The discussion inevitably turned to Japan’s involvement in World War II, with many commenters debating the appropriate phrasing to describe Japan’s role. Some found the term “embroiled” too passive, arguing that Japan actively contributed to the war’s initiation and escalation. This led to a broader conversation about historical interpretations and the nuances of language when discussing controversial events. The debate touched on how different languages might portray the same event, with examples like the contrasting depictions of the Nanking Massacre in English and Japanese Wikipedia entries.
The discussion extended beyond Japan’s role in World War II, encompassing other controversial aspects of its history. Unit 731, the Japanese biological warfare unit, and the lack of justice for its victims, were brought up. Similarly, the systematic nature of atrocities such as those committed in Nanking and the use of biological weapons against Chinese population centers was highlighted. These comments served as a stark reminder of the complexities of history and the importance of acknowledging difficult truths.
Further fueling the conversation, several anecdotes about the quality of Japanese printing surfaced. These ranged from personal experiences with durable Japanese books and magazines to observations about the high standards maintained in printing and paper quality, even in relatively recent times. This reinforced the idea that the 1938 Expo ticket’s exceptional preservation wasn’t entirely surprising, given the historical context of meticulous craftsmanship.
The juxtaposition of the seemingly trivial event – a man entering a world expo with an incredibly old ticket – with the much weightier historical context created a compelling narrative. It highlighted the enduring power of objects to spark conversations about the past, forcing a reflection on history, both positive and negative, and demonstrating that even seemingly simple events can reveal layers of complexity and significance. The man’s entry into the Expo, facilitated by a piece of paper eighty-five years old, became a poignant reminder of time’s relentless march, the fragility of human artifacts, and the enduring legacy of historical events. The longevity of the ticket itself served as a physical manifestation of the lasting impact of history and the importance of remembering the past.