Photo/Illutration Hiroyuki Ishige, the secretary-general of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, speaks at a news conference on July 13 in Osaka’s Chuo Ward. (Nobuhiro Shirai)

Organizers of the 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo told participating nations they would be prepared to sign contracts with contractors to build national pavilions on behalf of those countries, which are way behind schedule.

The organizing committee said on July 13 that it had held a meeting with participating nations to propose acting as agents for them in signing deals with construction companies.

“It is a bit regrettable that we have to make such a proposal,” said Hiroyuki Ishige, the secretary-general of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition.

Ishige avoided giving a straight answer when grilled about who would pay the bills should his association sign contracts on behalf of those governments.

“Each nation should pay its own bills, in principle, but it’s a matter too sensitive to elaborate on at the moment,” he said.

“If and when we actually have to serve as a contract agent, we will thoroughly discuss the matter,” he added.

Ishige’s responses raised concerns that more Japanese taxpayer money would be spent on the extravaganza.

Around 50 countries and regions plan to construct their own pavilions for the world’s fair, which opens on April 13, 2025.

But such pavilions require the approval of the Osaka city government before work can begin, and as of July 13, no applications had been filed.

As the pavilion designs are often complicated, construction companies are hesitant about signing contracts in the event they end up facing higher costs than initial estimates.

Other issues include chronic worker shortages and the surging cost of materials.

In the meeting on July 7 with the participating nations, the association also suggested that pavilions could be built cheaper and faster by simplifying design plans and construction methods.

Though Ishige stressed pavilions will be finished in time if construction starts by the end of the year, concerns persist as some structures are estimated to take 18 months to complete.

“With countries making no progress in signing contracts with construction firms, the expo will be in jeopardy if pavilions are not completed in time,” said the economy ministry in a note issued in late June to seek support from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

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