TOKYO, Nov. 28, 2023—The cost of construction, running and after-event cleanup of the much-criticized Osaka Expo 2025 is set to climb further than estimates made a few months ago, with a Japan pavilion soaring to nearly double the original estimation. Some countries that expressed participation initially are poised to opt out including Mexico and Estonia.
On top of the 78.3 billion yen ($530 million) earlier estimate of Japanese government investments for building the venues for the event, the government would have to dole out an additional 83.7 billion yen ($540 million),
The prefecture and city offices of Osaka earlier said their investments would more than double to 78 billion yen from earlier estimates of 36 billion yen.
The most recent total estimate of e¥venues construction was 235 billion yen ($1.6 billion), nearly double the 125 billion yen initial budget.
All those estimates do not include post-event costs such as demolition of event facilities, general cleanup, and low attendance estimates.
Meanwhile, Mexico and Estonia had told the Japanese government their intentions of opting out of the event for high cost and other reasons. More countries are understood to be following the lead.
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