Osaka Expo Operating Cost Estimate Seen Topping 100 B. Yen

Jiji Press

17:55 JST, December 10, 2023

Tokyo (Jiji Press)—The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition plans to raise its estimate for the cost of operating the event in the western Japan city of Osaka from ¥80.9 billion to over ¥100 billion to reflect rising prices, informed sources said Sunday.

The association’s executives will discuss the matter at a meeting on Thursday, according to the sources.

The association has already decided to raise the estimated cost of building the Expo venue to as much as ¥235 billion. The construction costs will be shared equally by three parties—the Japanese government, the governments of Osaka Prefecture and the city of Osaka, and the business community.

Meanwhile, the operating costs will be covered including by admission ticket sales and sales at restaurants in the venue. Lower-than-anticipated ticket sales could result in a deficit.

In addition, the Japanese government plans to spend ¥19.9 billion on security measures, following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last year.