Events have been held in Japan to mark 1,000 days until the opening of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.

One of the ceremonial events was held at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, western Japan, on Monday.

Osaka Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi said he is very excited about the expo. He said he wants to make it one that inspires people to imagine what the future will look like.

A flying car is one of the items expected to be featured at the expo.

Its prototype was tested in Hyogo Prefecture, which neighbors Osaka.

The nearly 6-meter-long craft has propellers on the tips of eight arms extending from its body.

Spectators applauded as it floated about 30 meters above the ground and flew 280 meters at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour.

Meanwhile, at an event in Tokyo, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said Japan needs to overcome major challenges it is facing at home and abroad, such as the coronavirus pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine.

He said he wants to use the expo as an opportunity for Japan to take the initiative in addressing a range of social issues with state-of-the-art technology.

Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai is scheduled to start in April 2025 and last for about 6 months.