Papua New Guinea (PNG) is ready for the Japan Osaka Expo 2025 after its officially launching by Prime Minister James Marape on Thursday 6th March at the National Parliament’s State Function Room, Port Moresby city. Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru who is responsible for the exposition in Japan stated Papua New Guinea is ready and after 50 years of bilateral and diplomatic relationship between PNG and Japan, it is time for PNG to take part in this expo. Minister Maru said that PNG and Japan have a good two-way trade, and the balance of trade is in PNG’s favor big time and PNG has greatly benefiting from that trade. “Something we might recognize is we are benefiting more from our trade with Japan and when Japan calls, it's only right that we answer because in terms of trade and investment, PNG is benefiting big time from them for market access from Japan,” Minister Maru said. Prime Minister Marape has thrown his full support behind Papua New Guinea’s participation in the 2025 World Expo in Osaka as he officially commissioned the six-month project in Japan. The global event is a massive showcasing platform for countries’ products, produce, technology, services, and arts & culture both digitally and physically, and will be held in two venues in Japan. It is expected to attract up to 28 million visitors with over 160 countries already confirming their participation. Mr. Marape, during a dinner event labelled ‘Osaka Night’ held at the State Function Room and attended by relevant ministers, government officials and members of the diplomatic corp, reaffirmed Government’s undertaking to support PNG’s participation, including reopening direct flights from Port Moresby to Narita during the length of the event. He also confirmed his participation at the world event to support the PNG Pavilion and to discuss with Japanese leadership the formalization of an economic agreement between PNG and Japan to capture the 50-year partnership between the two countries. PM Marape also spoke strongly in support of PNG’s position in the region, especially in relation to the growing Asian market and PNG’s evolving status, even while it faces socio-economic challenges because of its diversity. He said, “Our diversity makes it quite challenging, and we might have a long road ahead of us, but our nation is prospering toward what has been foreseen by Somare and our founding fathers. “We will use this expo to tell the world that we remain a free-market economy with a robust democracy, where our government continues to honour business contracts with our investors.