“There is no intention to cheat” The public burden of the Osaka-Kansai Expo has increased significantly Criticism of Prime Minister Kishida and “vague answers”: Tokyo Shimbun TOKYO Web

Regarding the 2025 Osaka/Kansai Expo, where venue development costs have exceeded the original amount by 1.9 times, the House of Councilors Budget Committee on the 27th revealed that a separate project cost for the pavilion “Japan Pavilion” will be required, and other costs will be reduced. Expansion became a problem. The 2023 supplementary budget bill currently under deliberation includes 75 billion yen as part of the Expo’s expenses, and the ruling and opposition parties have criticized the sloppiness of the plan. The government has not specified the total cost, and the responsibility for cost management remains unclear. There are also concerns that costs will increase further in the future. (Nobuko Ohno)

◆Mr. Tsujimoto of Ritsumeikan: “The burden is about to be passed on to the people.”

“The poor outlook of the government, the Ishin (Osaka) governor and mayor, and the (Japan World Exposition) Association has come to blows out, and the blame is about to be passed on to the people.” Kiyomi Tsujimoto of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan made this point at the House of Councilors Budget Committee, and cast doubt on the holding of the meeting.

Mr. Tsujimoto pointed out that the government will not only have to bear 78.3 billion yen, which is one third of the 235 billion yen spent on preparing the venue, but also a total of about 84 billion yen, including the 36 billion yen project cost for the Japan pavilion and security costs. . He said, “He said something like it would cost no more than 235 billion yen. Was he trying to cover up the reality?” Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was forced to explain, saying, “There was no intention to cover up.”

The Prime Minister repeatedly responded, “We must continue to make efforts to rationalize the burden of national expenses.” The company declined to explain the total cost, saying it was still under review, only saying, “We will strive to present the overall picture as clearly as possible.”

◆ Komei’s Mr. Isa: “I think the original plan was quite sloppy.”

Concerns about the Expo have been expressed not only by opposition parties but also by the ruling party. The prime minister and others have cited soaring material and labor costs as the reason for the increase in costs, but this is due to the discovery of additional costs that must be said to have been caused by problems in the design.

Shinichi Isa of the New Komeito Party, at a meeting of the House of Representatives Budget Committee on the 21st, took issue with the fact that additional costs had been included under the pretext of adding sunshades and toilets. He concluded, “I think the original plan was quite sloppy. The national government, Osaka Prefecture, and the city cannot escape responsibility. Is the national government fulfilling its responsibility for management and supervision?”

The Expo will be 500 days away from its opening on the 30th, but the start of construction on the pavilions, which participating countries will build on their own, has been delayed, and it is doubtful whether they will be completed in time for the opening. Due to delays in the construction of the pavilion, the association has indicated that it will temporarily take over the construction costs, and there is a risk that additional costs may be incurred.

According to a Kyodo News opinion poll conducted in November, 68.6% of respondents said that holding the World Expo was “unnecessary,” making it hard to say that the public welcomes it. Professor Mao Maruyama (sociology) of Shiga Prefectural University, who is familiar with Osaka’s administration, said, “While the people are suffering from high prices, holding the World Expo cannot be said to be a high priority.The reason why a large amount of tax money is being used for the World Expo is that It’s difficult to gain understanding.”