【ニュース】大阪・関西万博：閉幕後のキャリアチャンス

Contents

Vocabulary
Article
Comprehension Questions
Summary
Discussion

Vocabulary

Hospitality / おもてなし (名詞) – friendly and professional treatment of guests or customers

The hotel is known for its excellent hospitality.
そのホテルは優れたおもてなしで知られています。

Recruit / 採用する (動詞) – to hire or bring in new people for a job

The company wants to recruit more bilingual staff.
その会社は、より多くのバイリンガルスタッフを採用したいと考えています。

Talent pool / 人材プール (名詞) – a group of people with skills who may be hired

The Expo created a strong talent pool for future employers.
この博覧会は、将来の雇用者のための強力な人材プールを生み出しました。

Proficiency / 熟練度・能力 (名詞) – skill or ability in a subject, especially a language

She hopes to improve her Japanese proficiency before applying for jobs.
彼女は、就職活動をする前に日本語の熟練度を向上させたいと考えています。

Stepping stone / 足掛かり・踏み台 (名詞) – something that helps you move forward to a better opportunity

Working at the Expo was a stepping stone to her international career.
博覧会で働くことは、彼女の国際的なキャリアへの踏み台となりました。

Article

Expo 2025 Osaka: Career Opportunities After the Closing

As Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai prepares to close on October 13, many companies are eager to hire staff who worked at the event. Employers say Expo workers bring valuable skills—such as multilingual communication, customer service, and cultural awareness—that can transfer directly into careers in hospitality, retail, and tourism.

On September 14 and 15, a job fair for Expo workers was held at ATC Hall in Osaka. The event attracted about 2,500 participants and featured 107 companies, ranging from hotels to retail chains. Organized by the staffing agency Pasona Inc., the fair highlighted Expo staff as a highly desirable talent pool. Executive officer Kyoko Sanematsu emphasized that the experience gained from a national project like the Expo would strengthen participants’ long-term career prospects.

For many, working at the Expo has already inspired new ambitions. Asuka Nakamura, a 20-year-old student working at a pavilion, expressed her interest in joining the hotel or aviation industry. Similarly, a German staff member at the Spain Pavilion explained in Japanese that he hopes to pursue a career in international exchange after the Expo, seeing it as a stepping stone to professional growth.

Foreign workers were also supported at the fair, with a help desk for those learning Japanese. Two staff members from the Austria Pavilion, both from Spain, said they want to improve their language proficiency and continue their careers in Japan. This highlights how the Expo not only connected cultures during the event but also opened opportunities for long-term integration into Japanese society.

Employers spoke positively about hiring Expo staff. A hotel group announced plans to expand and recruit as many employees as possible with strong hospitality skills, while a department store stressed the importance of hiring people who can communicate effectively with affluent customers. Universal Studios Japan also revealed its intention to employ over 100 Expo workers, noting that their event experience closely matches theme park operations and makes them “industry-ready.”

As the Expo approaches its conclusion, its legacy is likely to continue through the thousands of workers whose experiences will shape Japan’s hospitality and service industries in the years to come.

_{Source: Mainichi Shimbun (English)}

Comprehension Questions

Answer the questions following the article in English.

When will Expo 2025 Osaka close?
How many companies joined the job fair?
What career fields does student Asuka Nakamura want to enter?
Why does Universal Studios Japan want to hire Expo workers?
How are foreign Expo workers being supported at the job fair?

Summary

Talk about these topics with your tutor.

In your own words, attempt to summarise the article in 4 sentences or less.

Discussion

Discuss these topics with your tutor, and support your answers with examples or experience.

Why are Expo workers attractive to employers?
How can international events like the Expo create long-term career opportunities?
Would you like to work at a global event like Expo 2025? Why or why not?