AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN AND
THE BUREAU INTERNATIONAL DES EXPOSITIONSREGARDING PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES RELATED TO
THE EXPO 2025 OSAKA, KANSAI, JAPANThe Government of Japan and the Bureau International
des Expositions,
Taking into account that Japan is a member of theBureau International des Expositions and a party to theConvention relating to International Exhibitions signed at
Paris on 22 November 1928 and supplemented by the Protocolsof 10 May 1948, 16 November 1966, 30 November 1972 and theAmendment of 24 June 1982 and the Amendment of 31 May 1988,
which entitles the Bureau International des Expositions toconclude with states and international organisations
agreements relating to such privileges and immunities as
are necessary for the exercise of the functions entrusted
to it by the Convention,
Considering that Japan will host the Expo 2025 Osaka,
Kansai, Japan from 13 April 2025 to 13 October 2025 under
the theme “Designing Future Society for our Lives”,
registered by the Bureau International des Expositions at
the 167th session of the General Assembly of 1 December
2020, andDesiring to regulate the affairs regarding theprivileges and immunities related to the Expo 2025 Osaka,
Kansai, Japan in the territory of Japan,
Have agreed as follows:
Article 1
For the purpose of this Agreement:(a)the term “Exhibition” means the Expo 2025 Osaka,
Kansai, Japan which will take place in Osaka,
Japan from 13 April 2025 to 13 October 2025;(b)

the term “Official Participant” means any Stateor international organisation that has accepted
the formal invitation from the Government ofJapan to participate in the Exhibition;(c)the term “Section Commissioner-General” means therepresentative appointed by each Official
Participant for the functions provided in Article
13 of the Convention;

(d)the term “Office of the Section CommissionerGeneral” means any individual, corporation orother body designated in advance as Office of theSection Commissioner-General by each Official
Participant through the One Stop Shop referred toin Article 13 of this Agreement;(e)the term “staff of the Office of the Section
Commissioner-General” means the Section
Commissioner-General, the Section Deputy
Commissioner-General, the Pavilion Director anddirect employees of each Office of the Section
Commissioner-General;(f)the term “Convention” means the Convention
relating to International Exhibitions signed atParis on 22 November 1928 and supplemented by theProtocols of 10 May 1948, 16 November 1966, 30November 1972 and the Amendment of 24 June 1982
and the Amendment of 31 May 1988;(g)

the term “BIE” means the Bureau International desExpositions;(h)the term “representatives of the BIE” means theSecretary General of the BIE, the President andVice-Presidents of the General Assembly of theBIE and the officials of the BIE Secretariat;(i)the term “Organiser” means the Japan Association
for the 2025 World Exposition;(j)

the term “non-commercial activities connectedwith the Exhibition” means activities related tothe preparation, operation and publicity of theExhibition and other activities pertaining to theExhibition and excludes the sales of foods andbeverages, the sales of merchandise, theorganisation of events with entrance fees andother activities for profit; and(k)the term “dependants” means the spouse of thestaff of the Offices of the Section
Commissioners-General and the representatives of
the BIE and his/her children below the age of 20
and includes children aged 20 and above if they
are mentally or physically incapacitated and thus
incapable of self-support.

Article 21.
In accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 25 of theConvention, the BIE shall be responsible for supervisingand ensuring the application of the provisions of theConvention in relation to the Exhibition.
2.
In accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 10 of theConvention, the Government of Japan shall guarantee thefulfilment of the obligations of the Organiser and ensurethat the Organiser carries out tasks relating to thepreparation and operation of the Exhibition.
3.
In accordance with Article 12 of the Convention, theCommissioner-General of the Exhibition represents theGovernment of Japan for all purposes of the Convention andin all matters concerning the Exhibition.
Article 3
1.
The Government of Japan shall take all measuresnecessary to facilitate the entry into and stay in Japan ofthe following persons in accordance with the laws andregulations of Japan. Their visas with reference to theExhibition shall be granted free of charge and as promptly
as possible:(a)staff of the Offices of the Section
Commissioners-General and their dependants;(b)

personnel of providers of services to the
Official Participants;(c)personnel of exhibitors of the OfficialParticipants;(d)persons involved in artistic and cultural eventsorganised by the Official Participants within thesite of the Exhibition;(e)journalists accompanying the delegations of the
Official Participants who cover events organisedby the Official Participants at the Exhibition;(f)persons involved in commercial activities by the
Official Participants within the site of theExhibition with authorisation from the Organiser;and(g)

representatives of the BIE and their dependants.

2.
A competent immigration authority of Japan shall issue
a residence card to the staff of the Offices of the Section
Commissioners-General who are eligible to stay in Japan formore than three months. A residence card, however, will
not be issued to those who are eligible to stay under thestatus of residence of “Temporary Visitor”, “Diplomat” or“Official”.
3.
The One Stop Shop referred to in Article 13 of thisAgreement will prepare certificates relating to the entry,
stay, residence and work of persons listed in paragraph 1of this Article.
4.
The Offices of the Section Commissioners-General
should in each case and without delay notify the Governmentof Japan through the One Stop Shop of the names of thestaff of the Offices of the Section Commissioners-General,the names of their dependants, and the duration of theirstay in Japan, together with other relevant information.
5.
The Offices of the Section Commissioners-General
should in each case and without delay notify the Governmentof Japan through the One Stop Shop of the names of thepersons referred to in subparagraphs (b) to (f) ofparagraph 1 of this Article as well as the duration and thepurpose of their stay in Japan, together with otherrelevant information.
6.
The BIE shall in each case and without delay notify
the Government of Japan through the One Stop Shop of thenames of the representatives of the BIE, the names of theirdependants, and the duration of their stay in Japan,
together with other relevant information.
Article 41.
Within the scope of non-commercial activities
connected with the Exhibition of the Offices of the Section
Commissioners-General, the Offices of the Section
Commissioners-General which are corporations not having
their head or main office in Japan and their property,
assets and income shall be exempt in Japan from all direct
taxes except those which are, in fact, no more than charges
for public services.

2.
Within the scope of non-commercial activitiesconnected with the Exhibition of the Offices of the Section
Commissioners-General, the Offices of the Section
Commissioners-General shall be exempt from customs duties
and prohibitions and restrictions on imports and exports in
respect of articles imported by the Offices of the Section
Commissioners-General in accordance with the laws andregulations of Japan. Notwithstanding such exemption,
articles imported under such exemption shall be subject tothe prohibitions or restrictions imposed under the laws andregulations of Japan on grounds of public morality ororder, public security, public hygiene or health, or for
veterinary or phytopathological considerations, or relating
to the protection of patents, trademarks, copyright and theright of reproduction. It is also understood that articles
imported under such exemption will not be sold in Japan
except under conditions agreed with the Government ofJapan.
3.
The Offices of the Section Commissioners-General may
receive a refund of the consumption tax and the local
consumption tax paid in the procurement of the following
goods and services in Japan under certain conditions andprocedures in accordance with the laws and regulations on
the consumption tax and local consumption tax of Japan:(a)goods and services procured for the construction,installation and dismantlement of their pavilions
in the Exhibition; and(b)goods and services procured for the operation of
the Offices of the Section Commissioners-General.
Article 5

1.
Within the scope of non-commercial activities
connected with the Exhibition of the BIE, the BIE and its
property, assets and income shall be exempt in Japan fromall direct taxes except those which are, in fact, no morethan charges for public services.
2.
The BIE may receive a refund of the consumption tax
and the local consumption tax paid in the procurement ofgoods and services for the operation of the BIE in Japan
under certain conditions and procedures in accordance withthe laws and regulations on the consumption tax and local
consumption tax of Japan.

Article 6
The Offices of the Section Commissioners-General andthe BIE may receive, acquire, hold and dispose of freely
any kind of funds, gold, currencies or securities inaccordance with the laws and regulations of Japan.
Article 7
The Offices of the Section Commissioners-General may
use, free of charge, radio stations for which neither
licence nor registration is required for theirestablishment under the laws and regulations of Japan.
Article 81.
Within the scope of non-commercial activities
connected with the Exhibition of the Offices of the Section
Commissioners-General, the staff of the Offices of theSection Commissioners-General who visit Japan for thepurpose of the Exhibition shall enjoy the following
privileges and immunities in Japan:(a)exemption from taxation on the salaries andemoluments derived in respect of an employment orother activity that is exercised in Japan for
non-commercial activities connected with theExhibition of the Offices of the SectionCommissioners-General;(b)the right to import free of customs duties their
furniture and personal effects, including one
motor vehicle each, at the time of first taking
up their post in Japan in accordance with customs
laws and regulations of Japan; and(c)exemption from all direct taxes relating to thevehicle referred to in subparagraph (b) of thisparagraph.

2.
The provisions of paragraph 1 of this Article shallnot apply to the staff of the Offices of the Section
Commissioners-General who are nationals of, or permanently
resident in, Japan.
Article 91.
Within the scope of non-commercial activities
connected with the Exhibition of the BIE, therepresentatives of the BIE who visit Japan for the purposeof the Exhibition shall enjoy the following privileges andimmunities in Japan:

(a)exemption from taxation on the salaries andemoluments derived in respect of an employment orother activity that is exercised in Japan for
non-commercial activities connected with theExhibition of the BIE;(b)the right to import free of customs duties their
furniture and personal effects, including one
motor vehicle each, at the time of first taking
up their post in Japan, in accordance withcustoms laws and regulations of Japan; and(c)exemption from all direct taxes relating to thevehicle referred to in subparagraph (b) of thisparagraph.

2.
The provisions of paragraph 1 of this Article shallnot apply to the representatives of the BIE who arenationals of, or permanently resident in, Japan.
Article 101.
The staff of the Offices of the Section CommissionersGeneral, the representatives of the BIE and theirdependants who hold a valid driving licence issued by aPrefectural Public Safety Commission of Japan may drivemotor vehicles in Japan with that licence without any
further obligation.
2.
The staff of the Offices of the Section CommissionersGeneral, the representatives of the BIE and theirdependants who hold a valid driving licence conforming to
the model contained in Annex 9 or Annex 10 of theConvention on Road Traffic, adopted at Geneva on 19
September 1949, may drive motor vehicles in Japan with thatlicence for a period not exceeding twelve months following
their arrival in Japan.
3.
The staff of the Offices of the Section CommissionersGeneral, the representatives of the BIE and theirdependants who hold a valid driving licence issued by aforeign country or region which does not issue a driving
licence referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article, andwhich has a driving licence system recognised as being at
the same level as that of Japan as stipulated by the laws
and regulations of Japan, may drive motor vehicles in Japan
with that licence without any further obligation for aperiod not exceeding twelve months following their arrivalin Japan, provided that such licence is accompanied by atranslation created by the organisations stipulated by thelaws and regulations of Japan.

Article 111.
The staff of the Offices of the Section CommissionersGeneral and the representatives of the BIE who visit Japanfor the purpose of the Exhibition and are not nationals of,or permanently resident in, Japan shall not be required toparticipate in any social security scheme established by
the laws and regulations of Japan. The Offices of theSection Commissioners-General and the BIE shall be exempt
from all compulsory contributions to any social security
scheme established by the laws and regulations of Japan forthese staff of the Offices of the Section CommissionersGeneral and representatives of the BIE.
2.
In case that the staff of the Offices of the Section
Commissioners-General and the representatives of the BIE
are not required to participate in any social security
scheme established by the laws and regulations of Japan inaccordance with paragraph 1 of this Article, theiraccompanying dependants who are not nationals of, or
permanently resident in, Japan shall also not be required
to participate in such social security scheme, except for
employment insurance and workers’ accident compensation
insurance.
Article 12The dependants of the staff of the Offices of theSection Commissioners-General shall be allowed to enroll in
public elementary schools and junior high schools in Japanin accordance with their ages.
Article 13
A One Stop Shop will be established in Osaka, Japan toprovide the Offices of the Section Commissioners-Generaland the BIE with all necessary information relating toprivileges and immunities provided for in this Agreement
and participation in the Exhibition. It will also provide
facilities to the Offices of the Section CommissionersGeneral, the BIE and persons concerned for theirapplications relating to the privileges and immunities thatmust be submitted to the Japanese authorities.

Article 14
1.
The privileges and immunities accorded under thisAgreement are provided solely for the Exhibition and notfor the personal benefit of the individuals themselves.
2.
In any case where the Government of Japan considers
that an abuse of any of these privileges or immunities hasoccurred, the Government of Japan shall have the right towithhold from the Offices of the Section CommissionersGeneral, the BIE, or persons concerned, the benefits of theprivileges or immunities so abused in accordance with thelaws and regulations of Japan.
3.
No provision in this Agreement shall affect the rightof the Government of Japan to take all precautionary
measures in the interests of its security.
Article 15
1.
Any dispute between the Government of Japan and theBIE concerning the interpretation or application of thisAgreement shall be settled through consultation.
2.
If any dispute cannot be settled in accordance withparagraph 1 of this Article, it shall be submitted, at therequest of either the Government of Japan or the BIE, fordecision to an arbitral tribunal which shall be constitutedfor each individual case in the following manner:(a)the Government of Japan and the BIE shall appoint
an arbitrator no later than sixty days after thedate on which either the Government of Japan or
the BIE has notified the other of the request forarbitration. The two arbitrators shall agree toappoint a third arbitrator as chairman of thearbitral tribunal who shall be appointed no later
than sixty days after the date when either theGovernment of Japan or the BIE which was thelater to appoint its arbitrator has notified theother of the appointment; and(b)if either the Government of Japan or the BIE
fails to appoint an arbitrator, or if the twoarbitrators do not agree upon a chairman within
the respective periods referred to in
subparagraph (a) of this paragraph, either theGovernment of Japan or the BIE may request thePresident of the International Court of Justice
to make the necessary appointments.

3.
The decision of the arbitral tribunal, which shall befinal and binding upon both the Government of Japan and theBIE, shall be by majority vote.
Article 16
At the request either of the Government of Japan or ofthe BIE, consultations shall take place with respect to theamendment of this Agreement. Any amendment shall be madeby mutual agreement.
Article 171.
This Agreement shall enter into force on the thirtieth
day after the date on which the Government of Japan and theBIE exchange notes indicating their acceptance of thisAgreement, and shall remain in force until one year after
the closing date of the Exhibition unless terminatedpursuant to paragraph 2 of this Article.
2.
This Agreement may be terminated by agreement between
the Government of Japan and the BIE.
In witness whereof, the undersigned, duly authorised
thereto, have signed this Agreement.
Done at Dubai, in duplicate, in the English language,
on this fifteenth day of February, 2022.

For the Government ofJapan:

For the Bureau International
des Expositions: