Original vintage 1970 advertisement commemorating the Japan World Exposition, Osaka, 1970 or "Expo '70," the world's fair held in Suita, Osaka Prefecture, Japan between March 15 and September 13, 1970.
Dimensions: 10.25 inches wide by 13.5 inches high
Seiko was the official Expo '70 timekeeper, advertizing that its atomic clock - seen here in this vintage advert - was so precise it would take "more than a thousand years" for it to be more than one second off. Seiko set up the clock to simultaneously direct 110 other clocks in 50 different sites throughout the exposition site.
In mid-March 1970, Japan opened the World's Fair Exposition in Osaka Prefecture, which featured the participation of 77 countries (including Japan) and would conclude successfully in mid-September, drawing a total attendance of more than 64 million. The total attendance at Expo '70 remained the largest among all world fairs until the Shanghai World Expo surpassed it in 2010.
The Expo '70 cherry blossom in the center of the dial was the official Expo '70 logo, with each petal of the cherry blossom representing one the world's five continents coming together for the Expo.
Expo ‘70 Osaka was held in the backdrop of the Cold War, with Japan having made significant leaps in economic development following World War II. The Japanese Government sought to host an Expo to promote peace and create common ground by showcasing the global progress of technological civilization. Concurrently, Expo ’70 aimed to address contemporary issues facing humanity such as environmental degradation and poverty.
With a theme of "Progress and Harmony for Mankind," Expo '70 chose Seiko as the official timekeeper for the fair, and Seiko advertised its atomic clock was so precise it would take "more than a thousand years" for it to be more than one second off. Seiko set up the clock to simultaneously direct 110 other clocks in 50 different sites throughout the exposition site.
The site of Expo '70 is now Expo Commemoration Park, with nearly all pavilions demolished but a few memorials remain - the most famous of the still-intact pieces is the iconic Tower of the Sun. Osaka successfully bid for Expo 2025 alongside Yekaterinburg, Russia and Baku, Azerbaijan - however, the World's Fair will not reuse the park space, and will instead be hosted on Yumeshima island in Konohana, on the waterfront of Osaka Bay.