The Czech Republic has applied for a permit to build its national pavilion at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, western Japan.

Osaka City officials said on Tuesday that the Czech Republic has become the first participating country to make such an application.

Sixty countries plan to pay construction costs for a total of 56 pavilions, but none had applied to the city for a permit required to construct temporary buildings.

The Czech Republic plans to use wooden panels and traditional artistic glass for its pavilion. A building permit is expected to be issued in two to four weeks.

A Czech official said the country is happy to announce that it is the first nation to submit an application to Osaka City. The official said the country will do its best to introduce a pavilion that can attract the attention of people from all over the world.

Regarding pavilions of participating countries, the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition has proposed a plan to assemble prefabricated buildings on behalf of the participants to speed up preparations. The participants would shoulder the construction costs and have control over the interior and exterior designs. The association says 10 countries are studying the plan.