OSAKA: The number of countries slated to build their own pavilions for the 2025 World Exposition in the western Japanese city of Osaka is expected to decrease to about 40, YOSHIMURA Hirofumi, governor of Osaka Prefecture, said Tuesday.

“Considering various circumstances, I think there will be around 40,” Yoshimura, head of the prefecture that is home to the Expo host city, told reporters, referring to the number of Type A self-built pavilions.

Construction of foreign pavilions has been slow, as participating countries face difficulties in signing contracts with Japanese construction firms amid high material and labor costs.

Of the 60 countries initially slated to build Type A pavilions, four have decided to use a Type C shared pavilion, while three have shifted to Type X simple pavilions to be built partially by the Japanese side.

Two countries, including Mexico, have canceled their participation in the Expo.

“Countries that have not decided on construction firms should proceed with Type X or C,” Yoshimura said, while stressing that the final decision on the exhibition format rests with the participating countries.

On the possibility of there being vacant land at the Expo venue as a result of countries deciding against building Type A pavilions, Yoshimura said such space “can be utilized as a lawn plaza, a resting facility or a retail facility.”

JIJI Press