With just one month left until the Osaka-Kansai Expo, visitors are entertained every day by events and pavilions that foster dreams and hopes for the future. One of the most noteworthy exhibits is the "Human Washing Machine" created by Science Holdings Co., Ltd. The impetus for the development came from the Osaka Expo in 1970. The company's chairman, Yasuaki Aoyama, was an elementary school student at the time, and was so impressed by the "human washing machine" he saw at the Sanyo Pavilion resulted in he decided to develop it again at this 2025 Expo.

Sanyo Electric was founded in 1947 by Toshio Iue (pictured), the brother-in-law of Panasonic founder Konosuke Matsushita. They enriched our lives with products such as electric fans with adjustable necks and jet-powered washing machines. "If it's useful for the world and people’s life, that's good," said Iue, who readily agreed to exhibit at the 1970 World Expo, and instructed the development of a "human washing machine." However, he passed away in 1969 at the age of 66 without being able to see this through.

Continuing Iue's vision, the pavilion, designed in the style of a traditional Japanese home, was themed around the "Spirit of Japan," and featured a wide selection of futuristic products that brought together Sanyo Electric's technology. The one that particularly attracted attention was the "human washing machine." Visitors were fascinated by this futuristic bath, where ultrasonic waves create bubbles that cleanse the body when you sit inside the capsule. 50 years have passed since then, and the dream of the "human washing machine" has been passed down, and has evolved even further at this year's Expo 2025.

Photo courtesy of Panasonic Holdings