Photo/Illutration From left, Hiroyuki Ishige, secretary-general of the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura, Hanako Jimi, the state minister in charge of the expo, and Osaka Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama in Osaka’s Suminoe Ward (Juntaro Oka)

“Guernica,” one of Pablo Picasso’s (1881-1973) best-known works, was created for the 1937 Paris International Exposition.

But Picasso did not complete it in time for the opening of the world’s fair. It was not until about a month later that the painting was finally placed at the entrance of the Spanish pavilion, as intended.

Those who commissioned the work were said to be disappointed at first. They apparently expected a more realistic mural, and even considered moving it to a less conspicuous site, according to the book “Gerunika Monogatari” (Story of Guernica) by Shinichi Arai.

However, once the work went on public display, it grabbed the hearts of many visitors for its stark depiction of the horrors of air bombing. With its message of peace and opposition to war, “Guernica” became the definitive image of the Paris International Exposition.

Scheduled to open a year and a half from now, how will the 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo be remembered by posterity?

The estimated construction cost has risen to 235 billion yen ($1.57 billion), or 1.9 times the original calculation, according to the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition.

That means a lot more taxpayer money will be used.

The association claims the increase is mainly due to a surge in prices beyond what had been anticipated. But without any “magic hammer” with which to tap out money, indefinitely increasing the budget is not an option.

Construction delays are expected for the pavilions of participating nations, but what stuns me is that not one association member has come forward to acknowledge personal responsibility.

There was even a smile on the face of Hiroyuki Ishige, the association’s secretary-general, when he said in response to a question during a news conference, “You say responsibility, but I don’t know what you are referring to.”

Does he really believe the association can obtain the understanding of the public with such an attitude?

Osaka Prefecture, the city of Osaka, the central government and the business community should all stop what they are doing now and talk the matter over.

Simplifying the expo as much as possible is one solution. And some people have suggested postponing the event, itself.

When I imagine our descendants eventually associating the expo with negative images, such as “financial burden” and “irresponsibility,” I cease to see any significance to holding it at all.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Oct. 25

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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