The Mormon Pavilion at the 1970 World’s Exposition

Artist’s rendering of the Mormon Pavilion for the 1970 World’s Exposition, Osaka, Japan

In 1970, as a symbol of the recovery of Japan from World War II, the first World’s Fair in Asia was held in Osaka. With the theme of “Progress and Harmony for Mankind,” the seven-month event included representatives from 77 countries and greeted over 64 million visitors.

The Church participated in the exposition with a large Mormon Pavilion. Nearly 7 million people visited the pavilion and were briefly taught the message of the restored gospel. Approximately 780,000 Japanese people provided their contact information and asked for missionaries to visit them at home. This unprecedented opportunity to share the gospel with the Japanese public made a profound impact on the Church.