TOKYO: The Japanese government’s expenses directly related to the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka, including construction costs for the Expo venue and the Japan Pavilion, will total 164.7 billion yen, Hanako Jimi, minister in charge of the Expo, said Tuesday.

Jimi unveiled the figures at a press conference after the estimate of Expo venue construction costs was raised to 235 billion yen recently, compared with the initial projection of 125 billion yen.

The total amount of direct spending by the central government will include 78.3 billion yen for venue construction. The Osaka prefectural and city governments and the business community will each shoulder the same amount to cover the total of 235 billion yen.

The minister also said that infrastructure development around the Expo venue in the western Japan city will cost some 9.7 trillion yen, including about 839 billion yen for extending Osaka Metro Co.’s Chuo subway line and constructing roads for Expo shuttle bus operations.

Separately, costs for Expo-related projects by central government agencies, such as “flying car” operations at the venue, are estimated at around 3.4 trillion yen.

JIJI Press