The two Myakumyaku statues that greeted visitors at the east and west gates of the Osaka-Kansai Expo have been ceremonially relocated to Expo Memorial Park in Suita, Osaka, on the 21st. Over 400 residents, selected through a lottery with odds exceeding 100 to 1, expressed their joy at the reunion with the statues, which are iconic to the Expo's history. The 'Welcome' statue, previously bowing at the east gate, is now located near the Tower of the Sun, a symbol of the 1970 Osaka Expo.

During the unveiling ceremony, which started at 11 AM, participants applauded as the statues were revealed. Many attendees lined up to take photographs with Myakumyaku and the Tower of the Sun, capturing the moment of nostalgia linked with the Expo's spirit. A participant, a 39-year-old nursery teacher from Sakai City, shared her excitement about this reunion, recalling her 29 visits to the Expo and expressing a desire to relive that atmosphere.

Initially, the capacity for the ceremony was set at 300 participants; however, due to overwhelming interest with over 40,000 applications, the number was increased to 400. The 'Excitement' statue, greeted cheering attendees in front of the Peace Rose Garden, was also unveiled simultaneously. The two statues are scheduled to remain in the park for about three months before being rotated to various locations around the prefecture.