Osaka Expo Adventures A-Z: Meet the Characters

At the heart of "Osaka Expo Adventures A–Z" are two curious Japanese students, Miki and Ichiro. Through their eyes, the Osaka Expo becomes more than a global event — it becomes a classroom, a learning laboratory, and a doorway to the world. As they visit pavilions, ask questions, try new words, and meet people from different cultures, readers are invited to join them on an English-learning adventure filled with discovery, confidence-building, and connection — one letter at a time.

Meet Miki

A bright and creative teenage girl who loves stories, asks lots of questions, and listens closely for new English words and phrases in music and movies. She collects English words like other students collect stickers. But she is hard on herself and believes her English must be perfect before she speaks.

In her head, she knows what she wants to say, but she worries she will sound silly if she makes a mistake. She wants to be a confident speaker—not just someone who knows lots of words. Her goal is to move from trying to speak perfect English to simply speaking English.

Meet Ichiro

Observant, quiet, and clever, he is interested in a lot of things —sci-fi, model cars and airplanes, and especially drawing. He is shy when meeting new people and speaking English. He would rather draw than talk. Still, he is a good listener, thinks deeply, and usually understands a lot. 

He is curious and loves to learn new things. He wants to be comfortable speaking up and asking questions. His goal is to go from being a quiet observer to a confident English speaker.

Over the years, English became their ‘thing’, but not in the same way. Miki tried to master it perfectly, while Ichiro used it quietly, like a tool for exploration.

Now, at the Osaka Expo, they are finally in a place where English isn't just something to study — it is a bridge to real people, diverse cultures, and the plans for a better future for all of us.

Through Miki and Ichiro, readers will see that learning English is not about being perfect — it is about staying curious, being brave enough to try, and connecting with people and the world around them.

Stay tuned...their adventure begins soon.