Photo/Illutration Construction site of the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 in Osaka’s Konohana Ward (Nobuhiro Shirai)

The Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 may have to dip into its emergency fund of 7.7 billion yen ($48 million), as some of the nine prefabricated pavilions under construction are unlikely to be used by participating countries.

These prefabricated, simplified “Type X” pavilions were proposed last summer to replace some of the “Type A” pavilions—unique, custom-designed facilities built by participating countries or regions, that were facing construction delays.

However, as of mid June, only three countries have decided to use the Type X pavilions and one other is considering the option.

This means the organizers will need to cover the construction costs of up to six remaining Type X pavilions, estimated at 6.2 billion to 7.7 billion yen, including any potential redesign expenses.

This sum will come from their previously allocated reserve fund of 13 billion yen within the total construction budget of 235 billion yen.

Two or three of these unused pavilions will be converted into shared exhibition spaces, where several countries can showcase their exhibits within a single building.

The organizers plan to use the remaining Type X pavilions as rest areas and additional exhibition spaces.

Meanwhile, the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition began a two-day meeting in Nara with officials from approximately 160 participating countries and regions on June 25.

The attendees, numbering around 590, discussed the issue of construction delays, particularly those affecting Type A pavilions built by participating countries.

Discussions about the large ring-shaped wooden roof, the main structure at the venue, are also ongoing.

More than 600 meters in diameter and 20 meters in height, the 34.4 billion yen giant structure is an iconic image of the event.

The organizers are planning to reuse 20 percent of the wood as construction materials after the event.

Disagreements remain among organizers and local officials about what to do with the remaining structure.

While Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura favors preserving at least part of the structure as a legacy of the expo, critics warn that doing so will come with significant costs.

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