From Thursday, March 19 to Friday, March 20, 2026, the 19th National Toilet Liaison Conference in Osaka was held over two days, with Congrès Square Grand Green Osaka serving as the main venue. A total of 187 participants from across the country gathered for the event.
This annual domestic conference is held under the concept of “Toilets can be a place where people gather.” It provides a platform to discuss the ideal state of restroom spaces in commercial facilities based on social themes relevant to the times. This year, the conference adopted the theme: ” The New Value of Toilets Addressing Diverse Needs in the Age of Inbound Tourism – Envisioning the Future of Commercial Facilities through the Lens of the Expo Legacy.” Discussions focused on the role of commercial restroom spaces and future value creation, particularly in light of the universal design initiatives fostered by Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.

Exploring “Toilets of the Future” from Diverse Perspectives
On the first day, keynote speeches were delivered at Congrès Square Grand Green Osaka, focusing on the Expo legacy and the role of toilets in future urban spaces. This was followed by a panel discussion featuring experts at the forefront of commercial facility development and management. Lively discussions ensued regarding how commercial facilities can respond to the diverse needs of the inbound era and create new value for restrooms.
In the evening, a networking event was held at Time Out Market Osaka, which was partially rented for the first time to accommodate the scale of the conference. A portion of the market, which has about 800 seats in total, was reserved, offering a buffet of diverse Kansai cuisine. The vibrant atmosphere facilitated lively exchanges among participants, and the special ambiance and food were highly praised by attendees.
On the second day, a customary toilet tour was conducted. Under the guidance of facility staff, participants explored various restrooms at GRAND GREEN OSAKA. The tour saw sharp questions and sometimes heated discussions among participants, making it a very active and engaging inspection.

Support from DMO Osaka Umeda
DMO Osaka Umeda provided comprehensive support, going beyond just venue introduction, by maintaining close communication with the event organizer, the Toilet Liaison Conference Executive Committee. Specifically, DMO Osaka Umeda offered multifaceted assistance, including venue proposals, exclusive accommodation plans for participants, information dissemination via the event app “dokoiko (Umeda MICE Mode)”, coordination of post-conference area tours, and introduction of sponsoring companies. Our aim was to ensure that participants experienced added value and enjoyment during their MICE event in Umeda.
Moving forward, DMO Osaka Umeda will continue to pursue comprehensive proposals and support for attracting and hosting MICE events, aiming to enhance the value of stay and the participant experience for both organizers and attendees.