Taiyo Group Holds First Post-Expo Induction Ceremony
Re-connecting People and Society in an Era of Deepening Divisions"
Special Lecture by Yoichi Ochiai, Producer of Osaka/Kansai Expo
2026.04.01
(Tokyo headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Osaka headquarters: Yodogawa-ku, Osaka; President: Yumi Nomura; hereafter “Taiyo Kogyo”), an event consulting company, TSP Taiyo Co. (Headquarters: Meguro-ku, Tokyo; President: Fumitaka Awano; hereafter “Taiyo”), an event and facility management company, held a joint induction ceremony on April 1, 2026 at the EXPO’70 Pavilion Annex Exhibition Hall in Expo ’70 Commemorative Park, welcoming 32 new employees. The ceremony was held on April 1, 2026.
Taiyo Group held its first post-Expo induction ceremony. Under the theme of “Reconnecting people and society in an era of deepening division,” 32 new employees took their first steps with the awareness that they are part of making society a better place.
A special lecture by Yoichi Ochiai, producer of the Signature Pavilion at Expo 2010 Osaka-Kansai, was held on the same day. In his lecture, he spoke about the importance of creating new value together with people in a society where the boundaries are blurring and people are involved with each other in an era where the role and value of humans are being reexamined due to the advancement of AI. The event also provided an opportunity to experience the history of the company and its relationship with society through a speech of determination by new employees and a tour of the “Tower of the Sun”.
While modern society is becoming more convenient and efficient, it is also a time when distances and conflicts between people and between society and society tend to widen. Against this backdrop, the Taiyo Group is striving to “make the world softer and the future warmer. The future will be warm. We hope to play a role in connecting people to people and society to society based on our group philosophy of “making the world softer and the future warmer”. The purpose of this ceremony is to encourage new employees to think about their own relationship with society and to foster their awareness of their role as a link between people and society and as a creator of the future.
The Taiyo Group’s solutions will be brought together to design and construct tent structures for various facilities at the 2025 Osaka/Kansai World Expo and to operate venues and facilities, thereby contributing to the creation of a future society. The 32 people who joined Taiyo Kogyo in fiscal 2026 (22 from Taiyo Kogyo, 6 from TSP Taiyo, and 4 from Actio) are the “first generation after the Expo” to join the Taiyo Group as it moves into its next phase, and are expected to be aware of and proud of their future activities.
Profile of Yoichi Ochiai
Media artist born in 1987, began working around 2010. His works are based on the motif of materialization, transformation, and the yearning for mass in the boundary area. Associate professor at the University of Tsukuba and the University of Tokyo, and producer of the theme project for the Japan International Exposition in 2025 (Expo ’70 Osaka/Kansai). His works include the photo book “Longing for Mass (amana, 2019)” and the NFT work “Re-Digitalization of Waves (foundation, 2021)”. 2016 Prix Ars Electronica Honor Award, STARTS Prize from the EU, 2019 SXSW Creative Experience ARROW Awards; Apollo Magazine 40 UNDER 40 ART and TECH, Asia Digital Art Award for Excellence, and many works recommended by the Japan Media Arts Festival Art Division Jury Committee.
Special lecture by Yoichi Ochiai
Message from Yumi Nomura, President and Representative Director, Taiyo Kogyo Corporation (Summary)
The Osaka-Kansai Expo, in which the Taiyo Group was involved, was a project that faced a great deal of controversy even before it was held, and was carried out in the face of significant headwinds. Even under such circumstances, the project team continued to take on new challenges with faith in its success, and the accumulation of these efforts led to the final results and the growth of the employees. Today, we live in an era of increasing fragmentation and uncertainty, but I believe that the Group has a role to play in difficult situations. We hope to demonstrate our value as an entity that connects people to people and society to society. I hope that new employees will not be swayed by the voices of those around them, but rather will proactively take on challenges, believing that their work will lead to the betterment of society. I expect them not to run away from difficulties, but to grow through experience and become the future leaders of the Taiyo Group.
Message from Kogo Ikezawa, President and Representative Director, TSP Taiyo K.K. (Summary)
TSP Taiyo has been providing values that connect people to people and society to society through “places” where people gather and share experiences. As digitalization progresses, the value of real places, such as event spaces, is becoming even more valuable. We are playing a role in creating such “connections” and gradually moving society forward. I expect our new employees to be aware of the kind of connections their work will create and the value it will bring to society.
Message from Fumitaka Awano, President and Representative Director, Actio Corporation (Summary)
Through the operation of facilities and events, ACTIO plays a role in the social infrastructure by providing “places” where many people can enjoy and engage in activities in a safe and secure environment. We are currently involved in the operation of 225 public and private facilities nationwide, and have steadily expanded our business. Our role is to support the foundation for creating connections between people and between people and communities through solid operations. We expect our new employees to be aware that their work supports our connection with society, and to grow as they accumulate trust.
Greetings from new employees (summary)
Mr. Yasuhiro Furuhashi, New Employee Representative, Taiyo Kogyo Corporation
I feel a great sense of responsibility and expectation in being able to join the company at this time, after the milestone of the Expo, and at the same time, I feel a sense of responsibility and a sense of pride in my work. I will continue to think about how I can interact with society and deliver value, and I hope to proactively work to create value that connects people and society.
Greetings from Ms. Risa Sagara, representative of new employees of TSP Taiyo K.K.
We are eager to learn, fearless in taking on challenges, and will strive to become a competitive force as soon as possible.
We are aware of the responsibility that comes with being a member of the Taiyo Group, and we will continue to study every day so that we can deliver value to society through our own growth.
New employee representative speech by Mr. Yuta Konishi, Actio Corporation
We will always strive to be people who are not afraid to take on challenges and who can have a positive impact on those around them through their actions.
I would like to continue to learn and grow every day so that we can move forward, even with small steps, with sincerity in our business of creating “joy” and “excitement”.
(From left) Mr. Furuhashi, Taiyo Kogyo; Mr. Sagara, TSP Taiyo; Mr. Konishi, Actio
About Taiyo Group
The Taiyo Group is a corporate group consisting of three companies: Taiyo Kogyo Corporation, TSP Taiyo Corporation, and Actio Corporation. In 1970, we were involved in the construction and operation of a large-scale pavilion at the Osaka World’s Fair, and our current group structure was formed in the course of subsequent business development. We will continue to pursue the possibilities of membranes, spaces, and experiences, while enhancing the synergy of the three group companies. We aim to “make the world softer and the future warmer. The company aims to “soften the world and warm the future.
The entire group was involved in the design, construction, and operation of approximately 30 facilities for the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo.
About Taiyo Kogyo Corporation
Taiyo Kogyo is a “leading company of membrane structures” that aims to support the safety and security of society and contribute to the realization of affluent lifestyles for people. Taking advantage of the characteristics of light and strong materials, Taiyo Kogyo is expanding its products into various construction businesses, as symbolized by the membrane roof of the Tokyo Dome, as well as civil engineering, logistics, and even the environmental field. In recent years, in particular, the company has been attracting public attention for its emergency response to the many disasters that have occurred in various regions, as well as for its medical tents used to combat the new coronas.
https://www.taiyokogyo.co.jp/
About TSP Taiyo Corporation
Celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2025, TSP Taiyo Corporation is a professional group that creates all kinds of inspiring venues with one-stop support, from event consulting through spatial solutions to planning and production. As a design and consulting company involved in all kinds of events, including big international events, we provide total solutions ranging from preliminary revenue and expenditure planning to maximize profits, planning, creative production, architectural design, construction, and operation. We also provide hospitality services associated with PR, promotions, and events. In recent years, we have been actively promoting diversity, SDGs, and ESG initiatives, making full use of our unique know-how cultivated through our extensive experience.
https://www.tsp-taiyo.co.jp/
About Actio Corporation
Actio Corporation recruits staff for a wide variety of facilities and events that bring people together, such as leisure facilities, cultural facilities, and community facilities, plans and implements training, prepares manuals and manages day-to-day operations, and helps visitors to experience the organizer’s spirit through all five senses. We contribute to society by creating “people and communities” through the operation of events and public facilities.
https://www.actio.co.jp/