Opening of the 2025 Osaka-Kansai World Expo 
LVMH, major partner of the French Pavilion

The Osaka World Expo and the French Pavilion, with LVMH as a key partner, opened on April 12th and 13th. The event brought together Sophie Marceau and Teddy Riner, the Pavilion's ambassadors, alongside Bernard Arnault, Delphine Arnault, and Pietro Beccari.

The Pavilion's official inauguration was conducted by Ito Yoshitaka, Minister of the 2025 World Expo, and Laurent Saint Martin, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Citizens Abroad.

The LVMH Group affirmed its commitment to championing France's inimitable savoir-faire and art de vivre in Japan and more broadly, to diffuse the values of Made in France to the 28 million visitors expected to attend the event before the closing next October 13.

For six months, over 160 countries and international organizations will come together around the themes “Designing Future Society for Our Lives” and “Imagine the life of tomorrow”. At the heart of the French Pavilion, LVMH is showcasing five of its iconic Maisons in a country that holds special importance for the Group. Louis Vuitton and Dior will be part of the permanent exhibition with two spaces created in collaboration with Japanese artists, scenographer, photographers and designers, while Celine and Chaumet will present temporary exhibitions. Moët Hennessy will enrich the visitor experience at the French Pavilion as hospitality partner. The presence of LVMH and its Maisons once again lets the best of French craftsmanship shine brightly on the world stage.  

LVMH has been present in Japan for decades and plays a major role in the economy of the country, which accounts for 9% of the Group's revenues. With nearly 14,000 employees and a network of over 1,000 stores, LVMH is the leading French employer in Japan, reflecting to its strong and enduring relationship with the country, and the powerful appeal of French excellence among the Japanese.  

After participating in Aïchi’s 2005 World Expo and others, LVMH's prominent presence at the 2025 World Expo is fully in line its longstanding commitment to preserving and passing on unique skills and heritage, coupled with a focus on nurturing tradition while driving innovation. These values are shared by Japan, a country that has long been an inspiration to LVMH Maisons.  

Ideally situated at the entrance to the Expo, the French Pavilion aims to figure among the top five most visited pavilions, expecting to welcome three million visitors – 20,000 a day.  At the heart of the permanent exhibition space spanning 1,200 square meters on two levels, Louis Vuitton and Dior are hosting two breathtaking installations: 

• Louis Vuitton revisits its history in a hymn to love for Japan and timeless craft gestures, in a scenography created with Japanese architect Shohei Shigematsu-OMA. A “library” of 85 trunks celebrates this exceptional craftsmanship, enhanced by original music created by IRCAM, France's renowned Institute for Research and Coordination in Acoustics/Music, founded by Pierre Boulez. The soundtrack recreates the sounds of Louis Vuitton's famed Asnières workshop. An immersive installation in a second room transports visitors into a dreamlike world as a “sphere of trunks” comes to life at the heart of a video installation by Japanese artist Daito Manabe.  

• Dior offers a poetic odyssey dedicated to the love of savoir-faire. The iconic Bar suit is presented in three variations – blue, white and red – reflecting the legendary Amphores Tricolores created by Christian Dior. More than 400 emblematic white toiles are revealed at the heart of a monumental installation, alongside Dior perfume bottles reinterpreted in 3D printing. A scenography by Nathalie Crinière punctuated by Yuriko Takagi's photographs, medallion chairs designed by Tokujin Yoshioka and the Lady Dior by Kazuyo Sejima for Lady Dior As Seen By in 2024, celebrating the unique ties woven between the House and Japan. 

Two other LVMH Maisons, Celine and Chaumet are also on the program at the French Pavilion with temporary exhibitions.  

Celine MAKI-E Exhibition – April 13 to May 12, 2025: 

The CELINE Maki-e temporary exhibition is a symbolic journey, imagined as a visual and conceptual passage. It features reinterpretations of the iconic Triomphe logo, in a cultural exchange between Japanese artists Hikoju Makie & Soshi Nakamura and the house’s emblem. By linking rich traditions to contemporary art forms, the exhibition underlines the unequalled savoir-faire that lives in every creation, and celebrates the fifty-five years of CELINE’s presence in Japan. 

Chaumet – September 1 to October 13, 2025:  

Chaumet has cultivated a passion for nature for nearly 250 years, a passion it shares with Japan. The storied jeweler is presenting an immersive, luminous experience, unveiling its naturalist universe through contemporary and historic jewelry creations and iconic motifs. They include wheat, plus bees and honeycombs, whose graphic interpretations have become emblems of the Bee de Chaumet jewelry collection. 

Moët Hennessy is present at the French Pavilion as Hospitality Partner with a selection of wines and champagnes on the menu at its bistrot, as well as during special events. 

LVMH and Japan, a longstanding special relationship  

Hennessy cognac and Veuve Clicquot champagne were both imported to Japan back in the 1860s. In the 1950s, Dior and Givenchy orchestrated memorable runway shows in the country. And in 1978, Louis Vuitton opened its first six stores in Japan in Osaka and Tokyo, considerably expanding its presence in the Japanese market.    

Japan, a strategic market for LVMH Maisons  

Japan is a continually growing market, representing a multitude of development opportunities for LVMH Maisons. New store openings are planned for the coming years, joining the thousand points of sale already operating in the country. In 2020 Louis Vuitton inaugurated Sugalabo V, its first restaurant in Japan, headed by Yosuke Soga. The restaurant perfectly embodies the fusion of Japanese and French haute cuisine.  

LVMH Maisons will be particularly active in Japan in the years ahead with the opening of Tiffany & Co. and Loewe stores in Ginza (Tokyo) in 2025, as well as Dior, Chaumet, Fendi and Bulgari stores in Osaka in 2026. 

An exceptional network of partner local artisans  

LVMH Métiers d’Art set up a dedicated organization in Japan in 2022 to support local craft professions. Two exhibitions were held in the Paris showroom La Main. "Ambient Weaving", prepared with luxury textile firm Hosoo, a longtime partner, proposed an immersive exploration of innovative silk weaving techniques. "Métiers d’Art du Japon" showcased the rich diversity of Japanese craftwork, including a tribute to several exceptional artisans.  

LVMH Métiers d’Excellence, a significant presence in vocational training in Japan  

In 2021 LVMH Métiers d’Excellence introduced a Client Advisor program in Japan. The program offers women who have not been in the job market for several years opportunities to prepare for careers in the luxury sector. Eleven LVMH Maisons took part in the initiative in 2024.