Russia said Tuesday it will withdraw from the World Exposition in Japan's Osaka planned for 2025.

A Russian representative told a plenary session of the Bureau of International Expositions in Paris that Moscow has decided to refrain from participating in the World Expo in Osaka "amid the lack of efficient communication with the host."

The official did not elaborate further.

Golden Mask constituting the top part of Tower of the Sun built for the Osaka world exposition in 1970 is unveiled at a ceremony marking the completion of the facility displaying it permanently at Expo '70 Commemorative Park in the Osaka Prefecture city of Suita on Aug. 10, 2023. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Last week, the Japanese government mentioned the possibility that Russia would not participate in the expo.

"We would not assume Russia's participation in the Osaka-Kansai Expo if there will be no change in the current situation" surrounding the country's invasion of Ukraine, Hanako Jimi, the minister in charge of the expo, told reporters Friday.

The ongoing invasion conflicts with the event's theme of "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," she said.

The Russian announcement came after Mexico and Estonia decided not to take part in the 2025 event in western Japan.


Related coverage:

Japan OKs Osaka expo construction budget of up to 235 bil. yen