Public telephones are gateways to
stories of connectionSekai ga Kikoeru Denwa
(Denwa for Listening
to the Universe)

More Interactive Than a Phone Call

Overview

It has been 125 years since public telephones first appeared in Tokyo in the year 1900. Since then, public telephones have helped us to not only convey people’s voices, but also connect and bring stories out into the world. The Sekai ga Kikoeru Denwa exhibit at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, focuses on such stories created by public telephones. From a couple’s quiet exchange to a student calling their mother with exam results, to a child’s voice from the other side of the globe. Please take a moment to listen carefully to the stories of the world.

Experience

Hold the receiver to your ear and pressthe three-digit number you want to connect to. Each number is linked to a theme, and when you press it, a story based on that theme begins to play.
There are ten themes to choose from. For example, if you press #408 (Good Night), you’ll hear a bedtime conversation between two people in love. Press #396 (Spring) and you’ll hear a student calling their mother to share the news of passing an entrance exam. And if you try #373 (The Other Side), you’ll hear the voice of a boy living on the far side of the world.
The 10 stories range in scale, from everyday moments shared with loved ones, to encounters with people from vastly different walks of life, including a boy calling from the other side of the planet. Some stories are inspired by nature, or even the origins of life itself. Each one offers a different experience: some are heartwarming, others bring new perspectives, and a few might even make your heart skip a beat.

Concept

In recent years, companies have been expected to contribute to society and the environment in addition to providing products and services. At NTT, we’ve long focused on connecting people through telephones and communication technologies. But the true value of these connections isn’t just about speed or data volume. It’s about the stories that emerge when people connect. Sekai ga Kikoeru Denwa lets visitors relive various types of well-being^* enabled by the telephone. We hope that this exhibition will enable you to experience the richness of human connection and the various types of value that exist in the world.

*What is well-being? Well-being refers to a person’s overall state of living well, encompassing physical and mental health, as well as the quality of their connections with others.
This exhibit shares audio stories that explore well-being through different kinds of human connection.

Related Links

• NTT Social Informatics Laboratories Social Well-being Research Website: https://www.rd.ntt/e/sil/project/socialwellbeing/