The Japan International Exhibition Association has recently made significant changes to the usage rights of the official character 'Myakumyaku' and the associated design system 'Komyaku' for the upcoming 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo. Previously, these intellectual properties were restricted to participating countries and licensed merchandise manufacturers. However, in an effort to expand engagement and promote the Expo's legacy, the association has now opened up usage rights to any business or organization related to Expo activities, provided they seek approval for commercial use after April 1, 2026. This move is intended to broaden the scope of participation in the Expo’s themes and designs and enhance the overall experience leading up to the event.

In addition to expanding usage rights, the announcement includes an extension for the production and sale of official merchandise until March 2028, ensuring that 'Myakumyaku' and 'Komyaku' can maintain their popularity and cultural significance even after the Expo concludes in October 2025. The ongoing relevance of these characters and design systems is seen as a way to create a lasting legacy from the Expo, thus encouraging more entities to incorporate them into their branding and campaigns.

Moreover, starting from the specified date, the Expo Association will allow non-official merchandise sellers to utilize these intellectual properties for business purposes through a paid license, while granting free usage for non-commercial applications upon application approval. Future utilization rules will be developed based on ongoing trends and feedback from the community, demonstrating a flexible approach to intellectual property management surrounding this major international event.