OSAKA: MODERN & VIBRANT

The city of Osaka is a crowd-puller in many ways, from its Insta-friendly theme parks to its neon-lit neighbourhoods

One speedy bullet ride away from Tokyo, Osaka, Japan’s second largest metropolitan city has a lot to o er. Largely known as the economic powerhouse of the Kansai region, the city will host many important events like the Group of 20 Summit in June, to be followed by the Rugby World Cup in September, and then the World Expo in 2025.

With just few months until the Group of 20 Summit in Osaka, world leaders from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, among others will come together for their ministerial meetings for the rst time in Japan.

e Government of Japan believes that the G20 Summit is a perfect opportunity for people from all over the world to see and experience a newly revitalised and transforming Japan. e country's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has outlined its priorities for the Osaka Summit that include promoting free trade, science and technology innovation to solve social problems, infrastructure for development, global health, climate change and promoting sustainable development goals.

In other news, Osaka Metro Co. has announced plans to spruce up its subway systems — spending more than 130 billion yen. ey also have plans to makeover 15 stations along the Midosuji and Chuo lines.

We are told of the man-made Island of Yumeshima, which is now being developed in Osaka Bay, in time for Osaka World Expo 2025.

As per a report in Japan National Tourism Organisation ( JNTO), the number of visitors arrivals to Japan has reached 30.01 million as of December 18, 2018. e organisation estimates to reach 40 million travellers by 2020.