Concerns have been raised over whether organizers of the 2025 Osaka Expo will be able to meet deadlines following reports they have already requested the central government lift a new cap on the overtime hours of construction workers.
According to The Japan Times, there are mounting concerns around whether the dedicated pavilions for foreign nations taking part in the expo will be ready by the scheduled opening on 13 April 2025. Osaka officials have denied the expo itself could be postponed.
Many foreign exhibitors had delayed decisions on whether to take part in Osaka, while local construction firms have reportedly showed reluctance in accepting individual contracts from participating nations due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war pushing up the cost of materials.
With around 50 of the 153 participating nations expected to have their own pavilion, Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura last week suggested the host city build their own pavilions and rent them to exhibitors to save time.
“A sense of urgency is needed,” he said.
Increasing work hours would also ease time pressure, however Labor Minister Katsunobu Kato appears to have poured cold water on that idea.
“To ensure workers’ health, we have to make sure that the regulations putting a cap on overtime are followed,” Kato said Friday.
Under the new overtime restrictions, overtime for construction workers will from next year be limited to 45 hours a month and 360 hours a year.
The Japan Times said the issue was exacerbated by declining and ageing numbers in the sector. Data from the Infrastructure Ministry shows the number of construction workers in Japan has fallen from 6.85 million in 1997 to 4.85 million as of 2021, with more than 25% over 60 years old and only 12% below 30.
The 2025 Osaka Expo is to be held on Yumeshima Island, the same location MGM Resorts International is set to develop Japan’s first casino resort. As previously reported by IAG, it also remains unclear when the Osaka IR will open with MGM CEO and President Bill Hornbuckle recently confirming the previously scheduled 2029 opening date has been pushed back to 2030.
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