The "2025 Osaka World Expo" officially kicked off this month (April 13), launching a six-month exhibition period. With massive crowds and visitors from across the globe, the various national exhibits have certainly become a hot topic.
However, a "plush toy bench" currently on display within the expo grounds has ignited a heated debate on social media. Countless stuffed animals, crammed into transparent plastic bags, form a massive "bench" exhibit. Many visitors have declared it "un-sittable," with netizens continuously expressing their heartbreak and sympathy for the toys, making it a trending topic.
The Expo's theme, "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," emphasizes numerous sustainable development exhibits. This particular "plush toy bench" is an "upcycled" creation by veteran leisure and entertainment company Wide Leisure Co., Ltd. (株式会社ワイドレジャー), installed in their "Play Pavilion" (遊んでい館?). It claims to give new value to plush toys that are no longer played with.
While the intention behind it is undoubtedly good, many onlookers found the design deeply upsetting. Seeing the plush toys squeezed together inside airtight plastic film gave them a "suffocating" feeling.
However, some netizens pointed out that these are indeed discarded plush toys, and if blame is to be assigned, it should ultimately fall on those who abandoned them in the first place.
While the initial sustainable concept may have been well-intentioned, the visual presentation clearly made some people uncomfortable. Following the widespread discussion, Wide Leisure Co., Ltd. has stated they will adjust the display method to ensure visitors no longer find it distressing.