The Osaka Expo and 1970s Japan Talk Event Series

The 1970s was a decade of dazzling ambition and unsettling change in Japan. It began with the spectacle of Expo ’70 in Osaka, a futuristic celebration of technological progress, national pride, and global prestige. Yet, as Japan embraced the promise of modernity, the decade also witnessed profound cultural shifts and unexpected upheavals.

This lecture series explores three key dimensions of 1970s Japan: the utopian visions of Expo ‘70 and its groundbreaking design, the transformation of comedy as traditional performance adapted to the television age, and the era’s defining events – from economic anxieties to social panics – that reshaped the nation’s identity. Join us for this two-day retrospective as we ponder how Japan transitioned from the optimism of postwar growth to a more complex, media-driven, and emotionally charged modern era.

On Day 1, Raffaele Pernice begins our journey with an examination of the architectural and technological innovations of Expo ’70. His talk focuses on expo’s futuristic city design and the visionary work of architect Kenzo Tange and the Metabolism movement. In the second talk, Matthew Shores explores the transformation of Japanese comedy in the 1970s, tracing its evolution from live performance to television, and examining how traditional comedic forms like rakugo and manzai adapted to a new media landscape.

On Day 2, Simon Avenell uses the spectacle of Expo ’70 as a launchpad to explore the defining crises, cultural shifts, and social anxieties of the 1970s. From economic shocks to fads, panics, and changing youth culture, his talk reveals how the optimism of postwar Japan gave way to an era of feelings, fashions, and phobias. Day 2 will also feature an Osaka Expo quiz, a short video, and some Myaku Myaku prizes!