Prime Minister Kishida allocates an additional 83.7 billion yen in national funds for the Osaka-Kansai Expo, separate from the 235 billion yen spent on venue construction and support for the “Japan Pavilion” and developing countries: Tokyo Shimbun TOKYO Web

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced at the House of Councilors Budget Committee on the 27th that the Japanese government will need project costs for the pavilion “Japan Pavilion” to be exhibited at the 2025 Osaka/Kansai Expo in addition to the venue development costs, which have ballooned to 235 billion yen. Stated. The government’s explanation revealed that in addition to the Japan Pavilion, approximately 83.7 billion yen was separately earmarked for expenses such as supporting developing countries’ exhibits and ensuring safety. The total cost of the Expo is currently estimated at 318.7 billion yen. (Masato Nakane)

◆Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura says, “We want to keep the cost of the Japan Pavilion to 36 billion yen.”

Answer to questions by Kiyomi Tsujimoto of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. Regarding the operating costs of the Japan Pavilion, which is used as an exhibition hall and a place to entertain foreign dignitaries, the Prime Minister clarified that “Japan is in a position to manage it as a national government, and it is separate from the venue maintenance costs.”

Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yasutoshi Nishimura explained that he would like to keep the project cost of the Japan Pavilion at 36 billion yen, including operating and demolition costs. Furthermore, Expo Minister Eiko Jimi explained that 24 billion yen was earmarked for supporting developing countries, 19.9 billion yen for ensuring safety, and 3.8 billion yen for building momentum, which were not included in the venue development costs.

Venue maintenance costs themselves are also expanding. When the government decided to bid in 2018, the amount was set at 125 billion yen, but the amount has been increased twice due to factors such as heat stroke countermeasures, imported materials, and soaring labor costs. The current amount is approximately 1.9 times the original amount.

Tsujimoto pointed out, “The amount of national funding has doubled.” When asked to show the total costs required for the Expo, the Prime Minister responded, “It is important to explain things transparently in order to gain the understanding of the public.”