Meet Emirati Youth Ambassador wowing Expo 2025 Osaka visitors with Japanese

Dubai: When Majid Darwish greets Japanese visitors in their native tongue at the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, their faces light up with surprise and delight.

“They often ask, ‘How do you speak Japanese?’” Majid said with a smile. “I tell them I studied in Japan. Then they get excited and want to know more.”

As one of 46 Youth Ambassadors, 24 Emiratis and 22 Japanese, selected to represent the UAE during the six-month Expo, Darwish has been playing a pivotal role in shaping how visitors perceive Emirati heritage and hospitality.

“It’s a tremendous honour to serve my country in different ways. This role allows me to introduce the UAE to as many people as I can.”

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Darwish’s journey into Japanese culture began during his middle school days.

“The sound of the language was really pleasant to my ears, and I wanted to learn it for a long time.”

That early fascination led him to pursue a degree in aerospace engineering in Japan – a move that deepened his understanding of the culture and language.

“It was challenging, but because I loved the language, it made learning my subjects and communicating day to day much easier.”

At the UAE Pavilion, Darwish helps showcase a vibrant slice of Emirati life. Visitors are drawn to items like the ‘khanjar’, a ceremonial dagger, and the ‘assa’, a slender bamboo cane used in traditional Ayala performances. But what truly captivates them is the UAE’s diverse desert landscape.

“We have sand from every emirate and that's the most interesting thing to them because it comes in different colours and textures.”

The UAE Pavilion is a place of lively cultural exchange as well.
“Within the pavilion, we function as a family. When ambassadors need help, we support each other, and guests often become part of that atmosphere as well. These daily interactions foster mutual cultural learning between us and our Japanese visitors.”

Earlier this month, the UAE Pavilion celebrated a major milestone by welcoming its two millionth visitor.
Darwish revealed how young Japanese visitors, charmed by the Pavilion and its people, return multiple times.

“Guests often show interest in the Arabic language; many younger visitors come repeatedly, learn our names, and warmly ask us not to forget theirs. It’s cute and awesome. They're really interested in the Arabic language and I bet by six months they're going to speak Arabic.”
While Expo 2025 Osaka concludes in October, Darwish is already thinking about what's next. “Looking ahead, I hope to continue enjoying life and, potentially, participate in future Expos.”