Her Imperial Highness Princess Aiko, the eldest daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan, graced the Kenya Pavilion at the ongoing World Exposition 2025 in Osaka with a historic visit on Friday, May 9, 2025. Running from April 13 to October 13, 2025, the Expo offers a global platform for Kenya to showcase its vibrant trade, tourism, investment opportunities, and rich cultural heritage.
Princess Aiko’s visit, marked by warm hospitality and meaningful cultural exchange, garnered exclusive media attention for the Kenya Pavilion, amplifying the country’s visibility at the international event.
Located in the Commons A Pavilion, the Kenya Pavilion welcomed Her Imperial Highness with a ceremonial reception led by Pavilion Director Mr. Situma Macheso. In his remarks, Mr. Macheso expressed deep honour and gratitude for the princess’s visit, noting that it underscored the strong and enduring ties between Kenya and Japan. He highlighted the pavilion’s core themes: trade, tourism, investment, and culture, while spotlighting Kenya’s world-renowned exports including tea, coffee, macadamia nuts, and cut flowers such as roses and carnations, which continue to position Kenya as a leading global supplier.
Mr. Macheso also acknowledged the transformative role of Japan’s Overseas Development Aid (ODA) in Kenya’s development journey. He noted that Kenya is among the top beneficiaries of Japanese ODA, which has played a critical role in advancing key infrastructure projects such as the Port of Mombasa, a strategic trade gateway for East and Central Africa. These initiatives, Mr. Macheso emphasized, reflect the depth of Kenya–Japan cooperation and its tangible benefits to Kenyan communities.
A key highlight of the pavilion’s presentation was Kenya’s dynamic tourism sector. Mr. Macheso extended a heartfelt invitation to Japanese visitors, including Princess Aiko, to experience Kenya’s breathtaking natural attractions, particularly the Great Wildebeest Migration.
“Kenya is a top tourism destination,” he noted. “We welcome our Japanese friends to witness the migration season, a global spectacle showcasing our rich biodiversity.”
The tourism displays featured immersive visuals of Kenya’s national parks, wildlife, and coastal gems, reinforcing the country’s status as a must-visit destination.
Princess Aiko also explored Kenya’s rich cultural tapestry, showcased through digital musical instruments representing diverse Kenyan communities, especially those from the coast. A design installation by Yvonne Afrostreet, a celebrated Kenyan creative, fused traditional and contemporary artistry, earning admiration from visitors and highlighting the creativity and diversity of Kenyan culture.
A standout moment was Princess Aiko’s participation in a tea-tasting session, a rare and symbolic gesture given her customary avoidance of food and drinks during public events. She sampled Kenya’s premium Earl Grey Ketepa tea, praising its rich aroma and flavour.
Mr. Macheso shared that Kenya is the world’s largest producer of black tea and a major contributor to blends such as Lipton’s English Breakfast, popular in markets like the United Kingdom, where Kenyan tea is blended with varieties from Sri Lanka and India. Princess Aiko, familiar with Kenya’s tea reputation in the UK, expressed delight in tasting it directly at the source.
Unlike her other visits to pavilions, the Kenya Pavilion at Commons A attracted full media coverage during Princess Aiko’s tour, garnering significant international publicity. This exclusive exposure reinforced Kenya’s strong presence at Expo 2025 and is expected to enhance global awareness of its products, tourism offerings, and investment potential.
Princess Aiko’s visit marked a milestone in Kenya–Japan relations, symbolizing mutual respect and growing collaboration. Her engagement with the pavilion’s displays and her tea-tasting moment served as powerful symbols of the cultural and economic bridges being strengthened at the Expo. Mr. Macheso expressed optimism that this landmark visit would spark deeper Japanese interest in Kenya’s trade, tourism, and investment sectors.
As World Exposition 2025 continues, the Kenya Pavilion remains a vibrant hub of innovation and culture, inviting global visitors to experience the best of Kenya. Princess Aiko’s visit has not only elevated Kenya’s international profile but also deepened the bonds of friendship between Nairobi and Tokyo, paving the way for enhanced cooperation in the years to come.