Photo/Illutration An illustration of the venue for the 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo to be held in Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay (Provided by the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition)

Japanese officials are increasingly alarmed over delays in construction projects for the 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo, prompting one veteran politician to even say it should be canceled if pavilions are not ready in time.

“We better keep a 'courageous withdrawal' option available in case it becomes clear that the expo will have to open with unfinished pavilions,” said Hajime Funada, 69, a lawmaker from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

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Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Hajime Funada (Photo by Naonori Nakamura)

Fifty-six countries and regions plan to build their pavilions for the world's fair. However, with just 20 months to go until the opening, many have not even signed a deal with a contractor.

Construction companies are hesitant to undertake the projects due to soaring costs and a labor shortage.

The government finally started addressing the crisis. It recently appointed senior ministry officials as project advisers and offered special insurance to construction firms.

But Funada remains pessimistic.

“It would certainly be dishonorable to be labeled as a nation unable to deliver on its promise (to make the expo a reality), but presenting a failed expo would be much worse,” he said on his personal website.

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