Prime Minister Ishiba Inspects Osaka Expo Preparations Amid Ticket Sales Concerns

During a recent visit to the site of the upcoming World Exposition in Osaka, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the event's success. This visit marks Ishiba's first inspection of the venue since he took office in October and comes as organizers report lower-than-anticipated advance ticket sales.

The expo is set to take place on the artificial island of Yumeshima, with less than three months remaining until its opening on April 13, 2025. Ishiba, who has recently been appointed as the honorary chairman of the event, expressed confidence in the eventual success of ticket sales, despite current figures falling short of expectations.

As of early January, approximately 7.5 million advance tickets had been sold, significantly below the target of 14 million. Ishiba acknowledged that while current sales figures are not exceptional, they typically improve after the event begins, as attendees often return for multiple visits. During his inspection, he toured several important facilities, including the Japan Pavilion and the Guest House designated for foreign dignitaries.

In discussions with Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura, Ishiba explored strategies to enhance attendance and maximize the venue's potential post-expo. A new transportation link, Yumeshima Station, was inaugurated on the same day as Ishiba's visit, which is expected to accommodate over 130,000 passengers daily. This station is directly connected to the expo site and facilitates a convenient journey to the major Shin-Osaka bullet train station in approximately 40 minutes.

The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition anticipates attracting around 28.2 million visitors throughout the six-month duration of the event, with ticket revenues projected to cover operational expenses. However, the cost of constructing the expo site has escalated to 235 billion yen (approximately $1.5 billion), nearly double the initial estimate, with funding divided equally among the central government, Osaka's prefectural and municipal governments, and private sector contributions.

Despite the challenges, the government remains optimistic about the expo's potential to boost tourism and international relations. As preparations continue, stakeholders are keenly focused on addressing the ticket sales issue and ensuring that the event meets its attendance goals.