Japan to spend 164.7 billion yen on 2025 Expo

Japan is estimated to spend more than 164.7 billion yen ($1.16 billion) on the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka, despite popular anxiety over the event’s increased expenses.

In addition to the amount, which includes bid-related investment, the central government, local governments, and the private sector are expected to invest 9.7 trillion yen in event infrastructure development.

With costs rising faster than expected, the government will convene a panel of third-party specialists to consider whether continuing to pour vast sums of taxpayer money into the project is necessary.

The 9.7 trillion yen will be spent on infrastructure for the expo in western Japan, which is scheduled to take place from April 13 to October 13, 2025, such as the road to the venue at Yumeshima, a man-made island in Osaka Bay.

The expenditures also include monies collected to upgrade roads and waterways involved with the event in and around the area, which is expected to draw participants from over 160 nations and territories.

Furthermore, the government said that 3.4 trillion yen will be spent to showcase projects during the event, such as “flying automobiles.”

According to the Economy, Trade, and Industry Ministry, the expert group would assess expenditures and operational expenses every three months.

“We would like to perform frequent and continual cost checks on the exhibition. We will regularly examine the expenses to avoid imposing undue obligations on the people,” Japan’s industry minister Ken Saito said.

The public remains dubious about the event since spending on building the site has nearly quadrupled from the prior estimate to 235 billion yen due to high material costs and labor expenses.

The overall cost will be shared equally by the central government, the prefectural and municipal governments of Osaka, and the business sector.

The big roof named Ring, a giant wooden structure where visitors may seek shelter from the weather, will cost around 35 billion yen, with the state minister for the expo referring to it as the event’s “symbol.”

However, opposition politicians have called the roof a waste of public funds, with one calling it “the most costly parasol in the world.”

78.3 billion yen will be set aside by the state for establishing infrastructure at the location, along with up to 36 billion yen for erecting the Japan pavilion, 24 billion yen to help developing nations participate, and 3.8 billion yen for creating momentum across the country for the event.