INTERVIEW: Governor Gives High Marks to Osaka Expo

Osaka, Oct. 13 (Jiji Press)–Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura has given high marks to the 2025 World Exposition in the western Japan prefecture, which ends its six-month run on Monday. “It is up to the people to judge” whether the Osaka Expo was a success, Yoshimura said in a recent interview with media organizations including Jiji Press. But he said that the Expo, held on Yumeshima, an artificial island in the city of Osaka, the capital of the prefecture, generated 23 billion to 28 billion yen in surplus from its operations and created “a very large economic effect.” “We can give it a passing score also because no major accident has occurred,” Yoshimura said, adding, “The Expo was meaningful as it provided children with an opportunity to think about their future and dreams.” The Grand Ring, a huge wooden structure at the Expo venue and the symbol of the event, which started April 13, is one of its legacies, Yoshimura said, noting, “I think many people (who visited the Expo) felt its overwhelming presence and the message it carries.” It has been decided that a 200-meter portion of the structure, which has a circumference of about 2 kilometers, will be left intact in its current form after the end of the Expo, Yoshimura said. “In addition, we will share an Osaka Expo declaration in a sense to record the fact that countries around the world gathered together for the Expo,” he said, calling it “an important soft legacy.” Yoshimura said: “The surplus from the Expo operations should be used first for the Grand Ring. We will set up a task force to discuss (specifics about) how to use the money and will make a decision in an open and fair way.” Asked about the possibility of Osaka hosting a World Expo for the third time, Yoshimura said: “(The latest Expo) proved that Japan is vibrant. I want Japan to be powerful enough to make children who saw the latest event feel eager to host another Expo in Osaka when they grow up.” The 1970 World Expo was held in the city of Suita in the northern part of Osaka Prefecture. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]